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| Movie Review: The Iron Lady Alternate Title: Force of Nature
Story: Meryl Streep
is the only actress able to pull off such a virtuoso performance as
the Uber-Conservative Margaret Thatcher, that actually
allowed me to feel for her. I was not a fan of Margaret Thatcher but
this biopic which spans 40 years of her life had me enthralled. It was
skillfully directed by Phyllida Lloyd, written by Abi
Morgan and based on John Campbell's two volume
biography. As she clears away
the belongings of her deceased husband, Denis, we see her life through
flashbacks. The onset of dementia is evident and her weakened state
is quite a contrast to the force of nature that she was in recent British
history. We watch her rise in the Conservative Party as
the lonely pair of heels in a sea of wingtips. She is seen as a strong
willed, uncompromising, stubborn Conservative who changed British politics.
The touches of file footage are a reminder of the troubled times that
was her reign as the first female British Prime Minister from 1979 to
1990. Those that have a problem with the sketchiness of the vignettes
should probably read a book to fill in the blanks. The film is about politics, of course - but without
really taking a side, the filmmaker has portrayed this most powerful
woman in a very human way. I highly recommend this film to one and all. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU4QXcxs4_s Acting: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher is nothing
short of brilliant. Brava! Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher
is always good. Alexandra Roach as Young Margaret Thatcher
does a fine job of channeling Meryl Streep via Margaret Thatcher. The
entire supporting cast was superb including: Olivia Colman (Carol Thatcher),
Roger Allam (Gordon Reece), Susan Brown (June), Nick Dunning (Jim Prior),
Nicholas Farrell (Airey Neave), Iain Glen (Alfred Roberts), Richard
E. Grant (Michael Heseltine), , Harry Lloyd (Young Denis Thatcher) and
Anthony Head (Geoffrey Howe). Predilection: I like to see Oscar nominees and their
films.
Trivia: Director Phyllida Lloyd in
the Independent on Sunday 2006 Pink List - a list of the most influential
gay men and women - she came no. 56, a new entry. Critters: None
Food: Soft boiled eggs and lots of tea and whiskey.
Sex Spectrum: None
Opening Titles: A short sequence showing the old
Margaret Thatcher buying a pint of milk in a local grocery. All credits,
other than the title are at the end.
Visual Art: Beautiful detail throughout.
Theater Audience: Four other people.
Weather: Very nice for London.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Oh my, yes. Streep deserves yet another
Oscar.
Big Screen or Rental: I always vote for the big screen
Length: 105 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 9 |