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The Iron Lady (2011)

Director:
Phyllida Lloyd
COUNTRY
UK/France
GENRE
Drama/Biography/
Historical
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Jernkvinnen
RUNNING TIME
105 minutes
Producer:
Damian Jones
Screenwriter:
Abi Morgan


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Margareth Thatcher Meryl Streep ½
Denis Thatcher Jim Broadbent ½
Young Margareth Thatcher Alexandra Roach
Young Denis Thatcher Harry Lloyd ½
Carol Thatcher Olivia Colman ½
Geoffrey Howe Anthony Head ½
Airey Neave Nicholas Farrell
Michael Heseltine Richard E. Grant

 

Review

Meryl Streep's pinpoint and masterful emulation of Britain's first female prime minister, a performance which is also remarkable for how Streep with equal conviction brings Thatcher to life in her 80s as well as her 40s, elevates this otherwise inconsequential biopic. As helmed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!), the film is surprisingly directionless not in chronology, but in soul and purpose. It seems the filmmakers decided it would be a good idea to make a film about Thatcher, perhaps because they got Streep on board, but there is no indication as to why they wanted the film made or what they want to say with it. There is no glowing fascination for the subject, or urge to tell her side of the story. There is no warm behind-the-scenes approach (except for her continued "dialogues" with her late husband), and there is no probing criticism and scrutiny of her professional career. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on biopics, and especially political ones, being unbiased, and while this is well and good, an account like The Iron Lady is largely meaningless unless it doesn't have anything to communicate; a stance, an angle or an edge. The Iron Lady gives us little more than a listing of events albeit a brilliantly acted and well made one. If you want examples of how similar type of films can be done more successfully, see Into the Storm or The King's Speech.

Copyright © 23.2.2012 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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