Review #328: 'The Iron Lady' (2011)

I was at first perplexed by the announcement of a biopic of the first British female prime minister, until I gave it some thought, particularly in terms of the political and financial situation that the globe finds itself in currently. We currently watch as we are repeatedly told through the media of the crisis - similar to the Wall Street crash of the late 1920's - that bankers have fucked up the world! We can in many ways trace this obsession with massive profit to Margaret Thatcher's and Ronald Reagan's collaboration throughout the 1980's, which essentially led to that filmic '80's mantra: "Greed is good". This globalisation of monetary philosophy, along with many more home grown policies, created Thatchers image, and added to her iconic status as one of the most reviled public figures in modern day politics (e.g. Thatcher, Thatcher, milk snatcher). What is problematic with the timing of the film, is the fact that the subject is yet to die - and is (within the realms of British politics) absolutely revered. We have seen since her tenure, an absolute influence of her no-holds-barred political technique - we have seen since the likes of Tony Blair (noted in opposition in the Labour government) who's ideologies were thoroughly influenced.

Aside from the political machinations of the political spectrum, we are offered in this film an attempt to humanise a character so readily hated. The main focus of the film from the outset is Thatchers memories of her personal life and political career. We see her struggle to place herself in the male dominated world of politics, along with her life with Denis (Jim Broadbent). This gender battle does dominate much of the uprising of the politician, but fails miserably towards the closing as we are offered an insight into a powerful woman's paradigm with the world of men. The film shows throughout that Thatcher has the opinion that men are childish fools. However, this is contradicted as we see her psychological deterioration to dementia highlight her adoration of her husband Dennis.

The actions and policies of her time as head of state are thought through in terms of seeming grief. We observe the implications of the Falklands war, the break-up of the workers unions and the fall of mining that led to nationwide protest. These fundamental decisions of the party are not really explained - therefore it becomes difficult not to feel something for this withering figure, lonely in her old age. Without the information of the true impact of these policies we are unable to make a genuine judgement of the person.

Herein lies the problem with this film. the screenplay tries far too hard to give some vain of pathos to Thatcher as she looses her mind, dormant in a lonely place. This concept of loneliness is played out throughout the film, even when Thatcher is at her prime, dominating men of her cabinet, she seems isolated but her character and her gender. It's surprising that this isolation of gender is so prevalent in the film, when we consider the closing where we are aware that she needed men. It almost seems that the duo of feminine influence (director Phyllinda Lloyd and screenwriter Abi Morgan) has done nothing to what could have been a feminist tract of fish out of water, actually turns on itself and becomes practically anti-feminist.

Whilst the film has many issues, it has to be noted that Meryl Streep's performance (or impersonation if you like) is exceptional, at times she seems more Thatcher than Thatcher. However, I really hope she does not get the Oscar for this performance, as through the screenplay, we are not really given a very interesting, insightful, or even exciting film. It is amazing that I felt a sense of pity for the person. This will not do. We need to see something far more truthful for such an utterly despised political figure.


Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd
Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head, Richard E. Grant
Country: UK/France

Rating: ***

Marc Ivamy