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The Iron Lady [2011]

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Say this for Meryl Streep: she doesn’t scare off easy from acting challenges. At 62, she is still the most Oscar-nominated actress with 17 nominations and 2 wins (try and beat that). Truth be told, “The Iron Lady” is strictly a one woman show. Meryl Streep’s show that is. She’s a marvel. It’s a joy and a privilege to watch her inhabit the character of Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister. But as far as biopics go, I’m afraid this one feels a bit dry. When it opens, it’s 2005, around the time of the London terrorist attacks. Thatcher, having served from 1979 to 1990 as British prime minister before her forced resignation, is depicted as a semisenile old woman who imagines her late husband Denis (Jim Broadbent) is still by her side. She also, at various times, imagines she is still equipped with the power of a prime minister. Even though the make up is not that impressive, Streep manages to work her way through the latex, and show us a woman that is still haunted by her past.This is where flashbacks come in, where we see young Margaret as a grocer’s daughter who attends Oxford, enters Parliament in 1959, and successfully becomes prime minister years later. I admire and respect “The Iron Lady”, even though I can’t say I loved it. It feels awfully uneven at times, but what keeps it afloat is of course the work of its leading lady. Director Phyllida Lloyd (“Mamma Mia!”) supports her well, but there’s a missing ingredient hidden somewhere. Let me put it this way: There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting a movie to be great and having to admit that it falls short. I don’t doubt the director’s good intentions, and as a history lesson , “The Iron Lady” shouldn’t be dismissed, but there is no reason on earth the results shouldn’t have been stronger.

Rating: 2.5/4

Comments

6 responses to “The Iron Lady [2011]”

  1. Ismail Sakalaki Avatar
    Ismail Sakalaki

    so do you think she deserves the Oscar this year? Or Viola Davis was better?

    Reply
    1. anistabet Avatar
      anistabet

      Meryl Streep deserved all those 17 oscars to be honest :p but I think Viola Davis will win it this year.

      Reply
  2. Ismail Sakalaki Avatar
    Ismail Sakalaki

    She’s a goddess of course. I admired Tilda Swinton in “we need to talk about kevin” as well. too bad she didn’t get nominated. her performance was equally excellent.

    Reply
  3. Ismail Sakalaki Avatar
    Ismail Sakalaki

    Finally i’m watching these movies now..well..i got to say Streep’s performance was utterly compelling..but the direction is terrible and the writing is SO clumsy! a missing chance. I didn’t like the way the main character was portrayed as well, i wanted to watch a movie about Margaret Thatcher not about an old lady who is haunted by her past so i have to feel sympathy for her. so i agree with you this is a one woman show..everything was bad expect Steep.

    Reply
    1. anistabet Avatar
      anistabet

      Exactly. Her performance is perfect, but the writing is awfully clumsy. It could have been better. As far as biopics go, J. Edgar was more interesting.

      Reply
  4. Alex Ayoub Avatar
    Alex Ayoub

    I think this movie deserve a 3,5/4. Meryl streep was great, and no one could ever do such performance. The art direction is good the actors are great and the music is fantastic. The director did the movie with passion. I really don’t understand your raiting. And viola davis was also great in The help who is also a miracle of a film, but The iron lady is also a good one. I rated it 9/10.

    Reply

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