Review of The Iron Lady (2011) by Josh R — 30 Jun 2013

I do fear that much of the context of her policies was lost, but the film serves well as something of a primer for an American audience largely unaware of her. Being made by mainstream Hollywood, the filmmakers squeezed whatever feminism they could out of her, of course, but Lady Thatcher denied them this for the most part.

I did have something of a problem with the choice to tell the story from the perspective of a world leader going senile from old age. I can't speak to the intent of the filmmakers -- if there was anything malicious meant by it, that is -- but after awhile it did get pretty worn thin. There are many ways in which a world leader might have memories jogged then from a dead spouse.

But to put the best construction on the choice of storytelling, it was touching to see how much Denis meant to her. I do wonder that all of us will not be talking to shadows of the past when we get to be the same age; when we are alone and all we have are our poignant experiences and loved ones as memories, the only things that understand us and to which we can relate to.

I don't know if the filmmakers intended it or not, but the film, slap-dash as it is, when it is actually engaged in her political career does a fairly objective job of presenting Lady Margaret Thatcher and her conservative ideals at the critical moments. It is largely left up to the viewer to determine whether she deserved the hate she received, or if in the end she truly cared for the long-term well-being of Britain. Perhaps this is the reason for all the negative reviews from the H-wood critics: the film didn't give liberalism ample time to properly demonize her, and conservatism. Afterall, liberals have never done well when people are left to make informed decisions without the usual class-warfare spin.

I continue steadfast in the latter, despite the unfair portrayal that she did so in a manner that was cold and heartless (an image in which many conservatives are stigmatized). In any case, I doubt that Lady Thatcher will ever have a proper treatment of her career done, mostly because liberal Hollywood would never be able to keep the integrity of the story; they would fear too many might come to understand her in context and celebrate her--worse yet (for them) replicate her.

And since she always liked to have the last word...

"It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.... Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny....".