Iron Lady

I approached the film skeptical about objections voiced by some admirers of Mrs. Thatcher, to the effect that the former PM was shown disrespect by the film's treatment of her. Part of that was an abiding respect to Meryl Streep's talent and career. Part of it, as well, was my contempt for her admirers; I was never a fan of her politics or policies.

After watching the film, I have two distinct impressions: Streep, as always, nails the role in a way that, perhaps, no one else could have: she becomes Margaret Thatcher, not just with her hair and her accent and her manner, but in the very essence of her.

Secondly, I think the film was indeed disrespectful of Thatcher. The former PM is reduced to a demented former PM haunted by the ghost of her husband. Everything about her revolves around that haunting, to the point that her political career seems secondary. Margaret Thatcher was a far more important political figure, both in British and world politics, than that.

Rogert Ebert begins his review: You have to be very talented to work with Meryl Streep. It also helps to know how to use her. "The Iron Lady" fails in both of these categories. Streep creates an uncanny impersonation of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, but in this film she's all dressed up with nowhere to go.

 In RottenTomatoes, the film gets 53% - 51% ratings. A reviewer in the Guardian UK site does like it. Eventually, the film-makers suggest, Thatcher's increasing isolation, brought about by her rigidity, singlemindedness, inability to accept advice and contempt for most of her colleagues, brings about a form of madness that foreshadows the Lear-like dementia ("I will not go mad") that infects her dotage. He does criticize it, certainly praises Streep, but, in the end, does like the film (Breathtaking in its detail and nuance, its subtle gestures and inflections, this multifaceted jewel of a portrait is altogether grander than the commonplace setting of the film.)

One review I thought well captured the film was by AO Scott in the NY Times: As for “The Iron Lady” itself, beyond the challenge it poses for Ms. Streep, its own reason for being is a bit obscure. It is likely to be the definitive screen treatment of Mrs. Thatcher, at least for a while, and yet it does not really define her in any surprising or trenchant way. You are left with the impression of an old woman who can’t quite remember who she used to be and of a movie that is not so sure either.

Love or hate her, Margaret Thatcher is a grand historical figure who can not be reduced to a tottering old woman who once used to be Prime Minister.