The Iron Lady...Streep Rules for her Depiction

The Iron Lady...Outstanding Leading Lady, but Rather Drab Drama
Starring Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant, Alexandra Roach, and Susan Brown.

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Written by: Abi Morgan

Genre: Biopic/Drama

Released: December, 2011

Synopsis:  A biographical British film about the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  She is superbly portrayed primarily by Meryl Streep in her political leadership years, and by Alexandra Roach in her formative years highlighting Thatcher's impressive lifetime achievements, contrasted with her present day struggles with dementia.

The Iron Lady takes place over three days in the current life of Margaret Thatcher, (Meryl Streep) including candid political accomplishments and family flashbacks in addition to present, quite persistent hallucinations of her deceased husband. Her rise to power is displayed against her meagre presence and impact today, yet her stark, firm personality remains intact. Her stubbornness, intuition and drive are explored to the fullest, immersed within an imagined series of conversations between an octogenarian Thatcher and her dead husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent).  

The story begins with an account of Margaret's younger years,  (Alexandra Roach) working in her family grocery store , while  both striving towards acceptance into a university program and  exerting an unwavering determination to break into the male-dominated Tory political party. Her mother is barely impressed when she learns of her acceptance into a renowned university wheres her father is greatly pleased and happy for her.  

The audience yearns for more detail surrounding her personal life such as her courting years with Denis, and any details of motherhood scenarios that would have been stiffly molded into her life following her marriage. Rather, the film adheres to an examination of her political career, detailing significant events, such as the war in the Falklands.  Also  a flaw because it is not included, is any interaction with the Queen. Becoming an ear-stretching fly on the wall of Thatcher/Monarchy encounters certainly would have added an intriguing spark to the story, which unfortunately was left extinguished.  There are numerous parliamentary scenes which become tedious displaying her challenges, and lengthy verbal confrontations surrounding British issues.  

The Director, (Lloyd) and Writer, (Morgan) rely on the ghost of Denis, who appears regularly, conversing, consoling, and maintaining a comfort to her, as she recounts her career high points. His tenderness is heartwarming, and a cozy contrast to her chilly ways.

What saves the film is Streep's uncanny metamorphosis, and undeniably accurate personification of Thatcher. From her physical stature, the convincing accent, the helmet stiff hair-sprayed do, the stoic expressions, and even her gingerly limp as a near 90-year old, her performance is superb.

Streep as always is deserving of her recognition by the Academy as a nominee for the upcoming Academy awards ceremony in February 2012. She recently earned the Golden Globe Best Actress Award (Drama Motion Picture) in January 2012 for her aspiring portrayal in The Iron Lady.

Meryl Streep's daughters:  Mamie, Grace and Louisa Gummer attend Meryl Streep’s New York premiere of Margaret Thatcher Biopic “The Iron Lady”