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Just as Ronald Reagan was the face of the United States during the ‘80s, Margaret Thatcher was the face of the United Kingdom—a tough conservative prime minister whose strict political policies earned her the nickname The Iron Lady. But Mamma Mia! director Phyllida Lloyd’s Thatcher biopic takes a closer look at the legendary leader’s life and career—from the risks she took to the sacrifices she was forced to make.
As The Iron Lady opens, Thatcher (played by Meryl Streep) isn’t a powerful world leader; she’s a mildly batty old woman who’s still clinging to the memory of her late husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent). As she struggles to clean out his closet, she talks to Denis, looking back on their life together.
The film then moves back and forth through time—from an elderly Margaret Thatcher who’s haunted by her past to her memories of her youth (then played by Alexandra Roach), her political career, and her time in office.
More than just a political puff piece or a fluffy love story, The Iron Lady takes the good with the bad. It’s a bittersweet recollection of Thatcher’s successes and failures alike, painting an absorbing (if not always detailed) portrait of a determined, hard-working woman who was both respected and reviled—sometimes by the same people. Hers is an inspirational story, showing that even the daughter of a grocer has a chance to make her dreams come true. But, as the old saying goes, “Be careful what you wish for—because you just might get it.” And that’s the case with Thatcher—a powerful woman who had to make some tough choices.
Right or wrong, though, you can’t help but admire Thatcher’s strength and determination—not to mention her heart. Along the way, you’ll get the feeling that she truly cared about people—that she wanted nothing more than to devote her life to doing what was best for them.
Meanwhile, Streep is once again remarkable in her role as Thatcher. She effortlessly morphs into the character, giving a compelling performance. No matter what her age or situation—whether she’s an outspoken politician on the rise or an aging baroness—the character commands attention. Everyone else merely revolves around her, fading into a backdrop of supporting characters.
Still, Broadbent supports her well, playing the doting husband who will do almost anything to support his headstrong wife’s dreams and ambitions. Denis offers a fun-loving contrast to Margaret’s resolute personality—and his presence in the film helps to show the kind of sacrifice that anyone like Margaret (both male and female) has to make.
The Iron Lady isn’t a detailed tell-all of Margaret Thatcher’s political career. It doesn’t try to tell the whole story (as J. Edgar did)—and it isn’t especially eye-opening or controversial. It does, however, offer a couple of noteworthy performances—and an honest and often intimate look at the life of a world icon.
DVD Review:
If Meryl Streep’s Oscar-winning performance in The Iron Lady drew you both to the actress and to her iconic character, you’ll want to check out some of the special features included on the film’s DVD release.
If you have time for just one feature, make it Making The Iron Lady, a 12-minute feature that offers the perfect overview of both the film and the filmmaking process. Not too long and not too short, it explores things like Streep’s genius, her character, and her character’s relationships.
Most of the other features on the disc simply seem to be edits of the making-of feature, though you’ll find some original content in Costume Design: Pearls and Power Suits. And, if you’re interested in Weinstein’s latest historical (and other) dramas, you might want to take a peek at History Goes to the Cinema. But if you have just a few minutes to spare, the making-of feature is the most worthwhile of the bunch.
