Journal Entry for Monday, Jan 16th

The Iron Lady

We both just love Meryl Streep and just couldn’t wait to see this movie. I think the last time we saw her was in her portrayal of Julia Child in the movie “Julia”, which we both loved. 

RELEASE: 2012; GENERE: Science-Fiction/Fantasy; RUN-TIME: 1 hr, 45 mins; RATED: PG; STARRING: Meryl Streep; DIRECTED BY: Phyllida Lloyd;
REVIEW: Overall, the story conveys power and the price that one pays for power, and provides an insightful portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman. To a point, the film is informative and educational and if you really came to see Meryl Streep, what can one say. The woman is an unbelievable actress who can play any role thrown at her. I also felt that Jim Broadbent, who played her husband, gave a worthy performance of his own. Without these two outstanding performances, the film itself would probably go down as just another average biopic that could be easily be forgotten, however, I don’t think that will be the case. On Meryl Streep’s performance alone, we give this film 4 Stars.

SYNOPSIS: The film takes place over 24 hours in the life of Margaret Thatcher, and is narrated through a series of flashbacks, depicting an elderly Thatcher remembering moments that shaped her and the effect her political life has had on her, while clearing out her dead husband's belongings. The story portrays her gradual struggle with old age and changing times, and the lack of power that comes with both of these things. Through the scope of old age, and afflicted by dementia, Lady Thatcher looks back on defining moments of her personal and professional life. The present-day Thatcher reminisces on these events with her (dead) husband (Denis Thatcher portrayed by Jim Broadbent). Her dementia results in the past and present becoming permeable, and she is shown having difficulty distinguishing between the two. Eventually, In the end she is shown finally packing up her husbands belongings and telling him it's his time to go. Denis finally leaves her, and having dealt with her grief properly, she begins to get on with her life.