The Iron Lady
(2011)British Prime Minister (from 1979 - 1990) Margaret Thatcher biopic with the great Meryl Streep (in an Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winning performance) playing the titular Iron Lady. Tells Thatcher's story via flashback, including the lead-up to Britain's controversial involvement in the Falklands War in 1982. Jim Broadbent plays her husband Dennis.... More
The Iron Lady blog says the story is about a "woman who smashed through the barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is an intimate portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman."Hide
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Best Actress winner (Streep) at the 2012 Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Golden Globes. Winner of Best Make Up at the 2012 Academy Awards.
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Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Starring Meryl Streep, Alexandra Roach, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Anthony Head, Richard E. Grant, Michael Pennington, Angus Wright, Julian Wadham
Written by Abi Morgan
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 2 providers
Flicks Review
BY Liam Maguren Flicks Writer
It’s hard to conjure up an actress that could better Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in this biopic, told through a political highlights reel intercut with a dreary tale of aging and self-reflection. From her first chaotic steps into the governmental ‘mad house’ to her frail final years battling geriatric psychoses, Streep never falters.... More
Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t compliment her, hardly ever taking the time to capitalise (pun intended) on the significant turning points that defined Thatcher as a relevant political force. Numerous side characters are examined with little depth, a fact that becomes obvious when the film tries to associate them with some heavy importance.
A few scenes did triumph, however, despite being few and far between. With the aid of educated advisers, Thatcher’s presentational transformation from delicate housewife to dominant MP is highly fulfilling (including a voice-training segment that they probably labelled ‘The Queen’s Speech’). It’s also hard not to fist-pump in satisfaction when she performs a verbal vasectomy on her chauvinistic opponents.
As a biopic, The Iron Lady does the bare minimum of what it needed. Paradoxically, Maggie Thatcher was never one to tolerate those who did ‘the bare minimum’.Hide
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The Iron Lady
BY adamatdramatrain superstar
BY TheaterofCommon superstar
I consider myself to be open-minded when it comes to the cinema so I... More tried to dispel all pre-conceptions of what I was about to experience as I strolled down to the newly refurbished Embassy Theatre. I should have seen the early warning signs of what was to come, sadly The Embassy was having what they called "technical disruptions". I was happy enough to wait as the juvenile technician tried to figure out what was going on, but after 22 minutes I was starting to consider a refund and to head somewhere else. Then, as if the cinemas gods were paying attention to my fading patience, the screen flickered into action and the opening credits rolled.
The Iron Lady is the story of Margaret Thatcher, arguably the most unpopular Prime Minister in British history, and the film is delivered in a series of flash backs of Thatcher's life & career seen through the eyes an elderly, frail Thatcher (Meryl Streep). We quickly learn she is battling both dementia and long held grief for the death of her husband Denis (Jim Broadbent). The plot then moves awkwardly between the seclusion of growing old alone and the highs of being a world leader. The film is an extremely personal portrayal about the true cost of personal ambition.Hide
BY filmlover superstar
I think most people may miss the point of this film. Rather than a biopic of M. Thatcher it is more of a story of the relationship between Margaret and Dennis, the man who propped her up with his undying love even after death. Meryl Streep is extraordinary but it would have been more satisfying for most of us to see a linear tale of Margaret's life. But then, didn't this director also make Mama Mia? If so I rest my case.
BY Weds_Loafers superstar
With the hindsight of a few years, this movies shows (albeit superficially) the resolution and uncompromising determination that was necessary, during the years of Dame Margaret Thatcher's leadership, to bring the UK back from the brink of economic collapse... More and to restore Britain's place on the global stage with its position on the Falkland's war.
The use of flashbacks was superbly handled and without them this movie would have been somewhat mundane.Hide
BY BarryNorman nobody
A stellar cast much underused with little exploration of their characters and influences. Skirted over significant events that shaped a nation and generally underplayed their impact. Heavy emphasis on her now frailties rather than the strengths which made me think this was a movie made by Labour as a cheap shot.
Showing 5 of 7 reviews. See all reviews
The Press Reviews
52%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
One of Streep’s finest-ever performances. But beyond that — whatever Morgan and Lloyd’s intentions — it’s little more than a myth-enshrining exercise. Full Review
A breezy, whistle-stop tour through the unstable nitroglycerin of Thatcher's life and times. Full Review
Meryl Streep gives a fully realized portrait of British Prime Minister Thatcher in a biopic that values character over context. Full Review
This is a brave stab at a contemporary life, and even with its flaws it does Margaret Thatcher a certain grudging justice. Awards should be coming Streep’s way; yet her brilliance rather overshadows the film itself. Full Review
Not Iron Man’s mother, but an adroit if flashy tribute to Mrs Thatcher’s ascent to power. Sly satire and a sublime Streep should tempt in more than the party faithful. Full Review
Fuzzy-headed biopic, which glosses over the former British prime minister's politics in favor of a glib, breakneck whirl around her career and marriage. Full Review
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