[Movie Review] The Iron Lady

Thanks to the folks from Shaw, I watched the movie preview of THE IRON LADY last Wednesday (9 Feb).

The movie stars one of my favourite actress, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. Dubbed the “Iron Lady” for her tough rhetoric in opposition to the Soviet Union, she was the first female British prime minister and the longest-serving of the 20th century, well known for her strict conservative policies that have come to be known as Thatcherism.

The movie tells the compelling story of Margaret Thatcher, a woman who smashed through the barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is a surprising and intimate portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman.

The movie has garnered a slew of award nominations and wins, including two ACADEMY AWARDS® 2012 nominations for Best Actress and Best Makeup; and a GOLDEN GLOBE® 2012 win for Best Actress.

Trailer:

I enjoyed this movie very much.

It humanizes Thatcher, beyond the steely, iron lady image that she is often portrayed in. However, I tend to agree with current UK Prime Minister, David Cameron‘s statement that the movie should have been delayed for release till after Thatcher’s death, out of respect for her.

Via The Telegraph:

Mr Cameron praised Meryl Streep’s performance in The Iron Lady as “fantastic”, but questioned the decision to make the film while Baroness Thatcher is alive.

The film portrays the former prime minister’s premiership, and then her suffering with dementia in later life.

Mr Cameron told Radio Four: “You can’t help wondering, why do we have to have this film now?

“It’s really a film about ageing, dementia, rather than a wonderful prime minister.”

“My sense was a great piece of acting, a really staggering piece of acting, but a film I wish they could have made another day.”

Nonetheless, I would still recommend the movie on the merit of Meryl Streep’s superb performance alone. She is the perfect actress to play Thatcher. I cannot think of anyone more suitable. Can you?

THE IRON LADY will be showing in Singapore cinemas from 16 Feb (tomorrow). Do catch it when it is released!