Review
Featured image: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, amongst her cabinet. Photograph: Courtesy of Film 4.
Film 4 (UK) – 2012
Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep) is a character who polarises opinion. Some might see her as a great conservative reformer and a figurehead of feminism, while others take the view that she was a reckless and cold despot who forced thousands into deep poverty. Nonetheless, she is certainly a larger enough than life person – making the subject of a brilliant yet surprising film.
Framing this biography is a portrait of modern-day frail woman, slipping into desperate dementia and convinced that her husband, Dennis (Jim Broadbent), is still alive. Between the painful reminisces and imaginary conversations with the ghost of her former partner, the story covers Thatcher’s rise to power and her fall from grace, whilst dipping into her strained family life and the ideology that drove her trademark arrogance.
The film is incredibly well written and constructed. As a biography it doesn’t at all feel dry or academic, and as a human drama it is compelling and moving. What is also interesting is the matter-of-fact perspective, presenting to the audience a series of factual events rather than following an agenda to glamorise or demonise Thatcher, while Phyllida Lloyd’s direction brings a colourful and original flare, adding a visually rich dimension to an already dynamic narrative.
But what has been driving the hype is Streep’s casting as the former Prime Minister, and she doesn’t fail to deliver. She manages to capture the public persona of Thatcher magnificently, taking it beyond lazy portraiture, conjuring a wonderfully imaginative depth to a persona who is remembered for her actions rather than her character. Where Streep excels is in her performance of Thatcher’s elderly self. Here, she floats between a destitute and decaying mental state of a woman far from her former glory, to sudden glorious windows into Thatcher’s renowned wit and constitution, seemingly still sizzling beneath.
The rest of the cast are equally impressive. Broadbent is achingly charming as the tragic, long suffering – yet never wavering – devoted husband. Also, there are superb performances from Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd as Margaret and Dennis’ younger selves, both of whom are engrossingly energetic and convincing as a couple in love but also striving for power, challenging traditions, and grasping at a ‘better’ Britain.
There are a few moments where the set-up of some of the biographical elements seems forced, and other moments where the style and flow seems at odds with the tone of the rest of the film. But with so much of Thatcher’s career to cover, it handles the troublesome and hefty tome that is her life exceedingly well.
All in all this is a triumphant film. It takes the viewer past Thatcher’s looming reputation and reminds us that she is a vulnerable human being like the rest of us, with strong ideals and an infamously unfathomable conviction, yet living with her own demons and the personal consequences of her legacy. An absolute must. This lady is for watching.
The Iron Lady is on general UK release on 6 January 2012. For more information about the film, visit www.theironladymovie.co.uk
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