The Iron Lady

Telling a balanced story of a politician is always going to be a tricky business, especially if said person is still alive and in the public memory. If that wasn’t difficult enough already, Phyllia Lloyd’s film about the life of Margaret Thatcher was always going to be a tough sell concerning, as it does, one of the most divisive political figures in recent times. Because of this The Iron Lady misses a step as it concentrates more on Thatcher’s dementia, rather than her life in the Commons. Well, what else could Lloyd have done you might say? I agree that her hands were tied politically in telling this tale, but the upshot is a very tame film with a (whisper it) Hollywood aesthetic. Lloyd’s last film was the highly popular, but simple and cinematically dire Mamma Mia! so perhaps it’s not surprising this is hardly a warts and all film. This film does reunite Lloyd with the main star of that film though, a certain M Streep. Left or Right leanings aside, Streep is excellent as Thatcher, getting the voice and mannerisms spot on. So Streep’s great (as is Olivia Colman as Carol Thatcher), but the rest of the film fails to measure up. Despite Thatcher’s unbelievable life story this production is sorely lacking in substance and definition. You need to have not only a firm grasp of politics, but also a memory for dates as virtually nothing is explained. It’s clear that this is deliberate as, well, why would you see this film unless you had some prior knowledge, but most of it will be lost on the uninitiated. For example, Thatcher’s rise to power is never really explained apart from a few scenes of pressing the flesh. How did she become Prime Minister of such a (at the time) male dominated bastion as Westminster? It’s infuriating that such crucial events such as this are hardly even addressed. On the politics front I would say the film is fairly balanced (with, unsurprisingly, a slight leaning to the right), mainly playing with a straight bat throughout. The film's structure is fairly curious though. We mainly follow Thatcher around as her condition deteriorates (itself a matter of subjection), occasionally flashing back to examine crucial periods in her life. It doesn’t really work and it’s only Streep gaining some laughs from her stubborn approach with the old brass that keep things afloat at times. So, a film made just so Streep could do an impersonation and possibly win an Oscar? You may argue otherwise, but what was the reason behind this film? Is this a study in dementia? A look at one woman’s struggle in a male dominated world? An appraisal of a Prime Minister’s tenure? As far as I see it’s just an excuse to get Streep in a wig.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Worth it for Streep, but as a history lesson this is McHistory. Rating: 5/10.