Review of The Iron Lady (2011) by Peter C — 04 Jul 2013

In general, not a particularly riveting or dramatic screenplay, but solid performances from both pairs of actors playing the young and old Mr & Mrs T, not to mention a few familiar faces cropping up in quirky cameo roles, makes it very watchable indeed.

Meryl Street deservedly merits the plaudits she has received for her sensitive portrayal of a dementia-ridden Margaret Thatcher reflecting over the highs and lows of her personal and political life - in my opinion, no other actor on screen, male or female, consistently inhabits their characters so fully - but Jim Broadbent rises to the challenge and turns in a delightful, affectionate portrayal of her ever-supportive husband Dennis.

Where the film falters, though, is not in characterisation or acting, but in the writing. The first half gets off to a surefooted start, focussing primarily on Mrs Thatcher's early life - in particular, her deep love and respect for her father; and her tentative, tender feelings towards her husband-to-be. But the second half relies too much on the juxtaposition of teary-eyed close-ups and fleeting flashbacks that drama is sacrificed for history-on-the-hoof. As a result, things tend to get very beige, boring and banal - and other things beginning with b.

Poll tax does not begin with b, therefore I am saying nothing on the absence of detailed analysis of that, the miner's strike, the selling off of council houses - and other things not beginning with b.

Thankfully, the last five minutes or so focusses once again on the most interesting aspects of the screenplay - her relationship with Dennis - and the final scene in which she surrenders to the fact that Dennis is dead, her political career is over and she is in the early stages of dementia, is quite touching.

In short, thumbs down for the script, but thumbs up for the performances.