MOVIE REVIEW: The Iron Lady

Film: The Iron Lady
Starring: Meryl Streep
Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd

The end of 2011 was filled with brilliant portrayals of historical icons and Phyllida Lloyd’s Iron Lady is no different. Set against the later days of Margaret Thatcher, Lloyd weaves an ambitious tale of a life spent fighting the odds and comes out with results that are sure to divide audiences nearly as much as the woman at the center her film.

Meryl Streep portrays Thatcher, both at the peak of her career and in the twilight of her life as she struggles with hallucinations of her dead husband and years gone by. In no way an original idea, Iron Lady leans on the use of flashbacks and memories to show the highs and lows of Thatcher’s life, always making sure to highlight that in the end she was just as scarred, alone, and left with questions she may never have answers to as the rest of us.

Just like November’s My Week With Marilyn, the biggest issue with The Iron Lady is the overall necessity to actually tell the story at hand. While Thatcher was no doubt a fascinating person whose life will be celebrated for years, a highlight reel placed alongside imagery of her failing mental state is not a strong approach to presenting her legacy. Sure it is interesting, but what is the point of recalling such a name if we are not furthering her message or hoping to somehow move mankind forward through such efforts?

For showcasing a woman who spent her life pushing the envelope and going where few dared, The Iron Lady plays it far too safe to leave any lasting impression on moviegoers. Streep once again shines as the lead and deserves recognition for her performance, but sadly one bright light is not enough to shine through this often tedious work. Save your money, grab it on VOD, and spend your newly acquired free time reading a book (or three) on Thatcher’s exciting life.

Margaret Thatcher deserves to be paid tribute on the silver screen, but surely we can do better than this.

Review written by: James Shotwell (Follow him on Twitter)

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