Coming Soon to Sawtell Cinema
The Iron Lady
Rating: M Running Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
Commencing: 1st March 2012
Synopsis:Rating: M Running Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
Commencing: 1st March 2012
Young Margaret Thatcher (Alexandra Roach) enters politics as a Conservative MP for Finchley in the late 1950s as a wilful young woman, brought up with a code of ethics by her grocer father Alfred Roberts (Iain Glen). In 1975, Thatcher (Meryl Streep) bemoans the lack of leadership in the party and successfully stands against Edward Heath (John Sessions) - and four years later wins the election to become Prime Minister. Determined to cut Government spending and break the power of the unions, she pushes through laws that divide the nation. She also takes the country to war against Argentina after the Falklands Islands are invaded. She is always supported by her husband Denis Thatcher (Jim Broadbent) but challenged by Michael Heseltine (Richard E. Grant).
Review by Louise Keller:
All eyes are on Meryl Streep in what must be the most extraordinary performance of the year - her eerily authentic portrayal of Maggie Thatcher. Beyond the distinctive Thatcher voice and mannerism, there are superb prosthetics, make up, hair and costumes, but it's the nuances instilled by Streep that makes it Oscar worthy and deserving of every major film accolade. The screenplay by Abi Morgan, who also penned the sensational upcoming film Shame, starring Michael Fassbender, explores the essence of the longest serving British Prime Minister, both in political and personal terms. It's a fascinating film about a tough woman determined to make a difference, although the narrative, embracing the past and the present, is not as satisfying as I had hoped.
While we can be assured of historical accuracy, it is not only the history buffs who will be interested in this film. It is not too long ago to remember the tumultuous times of Thatcher's hard-line against the trade unions and her contribution to the close of the Cold War. But this is not a documentary about the life and times of Margaret Thatcher. The film takes a far more personal view and inside glimpse of a Prime Minister, a wife and a mother, while touching on the political climate during her reign.
When the film begins, Thatcher is in her 80s, and although husband Denis (Jim Broadbent) has died some years earlier, it is not until now that she is able to face clearing out his clothes and personal items. Although she strongly denies she has hallucinations, Dennis is a constant presence at her shoulder, keeping her company, conversing with her and reminding her of times gone by.
Simple triggers, like the signing of her autobiography with her maiden name of Roberts by mistake, become the mechanism to transport us into the past, the narrative flitting back and forth. Finding a DVD of The King and I reminds Thatcher of happy times when she and Denis danced to Rogers and Hammerstein's catchy tunes. (Great casting with Alexandra Roach playing the young Thatcher to Harry Lloyd's young Denis.)
Whatever you may think of Thatcher's politics, there is no denying her strength of character and spirit. She is brave, austere and at times insufferable, but for all the right reasons. There's poignancy in the wife husband relationship which is nicely portrayed. It might not seem a foregone conclusion that the director of Mama Mia takes the helm of this project, but Phyllida Lloyd tackles the challenge with gusto, despite too much emphasis on the later years. Thoughts, ideas, words and actions are what motivate the Oxford graduate daughter of a grocer, who always preferred the company of men to women. Watching The Iron Lady, I couldn't help but think that Meryl Streep in her performance is as formidable as Thatcher herself.