THE IRON LADY

Reviewed by Paul Gibbs 
GRADE: C

Starring Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent
Screenplay by Abi Morgan

Directed by Phillidia Lloyd

Rated PG-13

There are two ways to approach a biographical film: attempt an an overview of the subject's entire life, much as a biographical book would do, or zero in on one significant event or period in the subject's life which offers perspective. By so badly failing at the former, The Iron Lady makes a powerful argument for the latter.

Meryl Streep offers a fine performance as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappearing into the role and perfectly capturing Thatcher's voice and mannerisms. But the film, directed by Phillidia Lloyd (best known for previously directing Streep in Mama Mia), offers no depth or arc for the character. Rather than a compelling story, the viewer is merely subjected to a highlights reel of Thatcher's life and political career, interrupted frequently by conversations between Thatcher and her late husband Denis (Jim Broadbent), in the obligatory “old age make up” that we saw in J. Edgar.  In many ways this film is comparable to Clint Eastwood's biopic of just a few months ago, but, for all it's flaws, that at least managed give us a passing 

acquaintance with it's enigmatic characters.

Every important event is covered in a quick, glossy montage. Thatcher's election? Montage. Falkland Islands war? Montage. Thatcher's fall from power? Montage. This sequences are slick and briskly paced, making sure that The Iron Lady never really drags. But we don't get to know Thatcher the woman, or Thatcher the politician. The filmmakers seem to be going to great effort to create a non-partisan portrait, which would be admirable if it weren't so relentlessly bland. We're dealing with a major figure in world politics, one both beloved and controversial, and the most insight we're given into her personality or convictions is a young Margaret telling Denis that she “can't be one of those women who just stays in the kitchen.” Director Lloyd seems to lack the subtlety or attention span to delve deeper into any aspect of Thatcher's thoughts, emotions or relationships, and it's hard not to get the feeling that she'd be more comfortable if the debates in parliament lead into musical numbers.

But, of course, this movie isn't about it's director, it's about Meryl Streep. Audiences will see the film to marvel at her acting prowess, and question whether she's finally going to win that third Academy Award (while she's nominated nearly every year, it has been about 30 years since she last took home a statue). And it's certainly further evidence of how talented she is. But it's not only a one woman show, it's a fairly one-note one woman show. She's given little opportunity for nuance or variation, and the only scenes which contain emotion are a few of the sequences with Broadbent (his final scene is both one of the film's most effective and problematic). If I had an Oscar vote, I wouldn't hesitate to cast it in favor of Viola Davis in The Help over Streep's turn here.

The Iron Lady is really only worth your time if you're an anglophile or a devoted Meryl Streep fan. You'll gain more insight on Margaret Thatcher by reading her Wikipedia entry, and there's nothing you'll see in Streep's performance that you won't see in her Oscar clip.

The Iron Lady is Rated Pg 13 for profanity and adult themes.