One of the most critically lauded actresses of all time, playing one of the most controversial politicians in British history. But can Meryl Streep, the lady whose mere appearance in a movie seems to generate an Oscar nomination, conjure up sympathy for Margaret Thatcher, a figure who inspires a fair amount of loathing, in biopic ‘The Iron Lady’?
We start in present day London, and an elderly Baroness Thatcher (Streep) wanders round her London home, battling her advancing dementia and resisting calls to throw out the clothes of her late husband Denis (Jim Broadbent), whom still appears to her in visions. Over the course of the next couple of days, the former Prime Minister battles a descent into senility as she relives scenes from her life- her early days in Grantham, inspired by her father; the beginnings of her political career; meeting Denis; the rise to power; the cuts that made her a national villain; and the Falklands conflict which made her a hero.
Despite the obvious, this is not a movie about politics as such. Her policies are not particularly praised or criticised, but we instead look at the woman behind the power suit, which is both a strength and a weakness. A political discourse on her time at Downing Street would have been a tough watch, yet director Phyllida Lloyd’s insistence on examining the person, and not the career, leads to a film that always feels a little too safe. Indeed, the whole film is built around Streep’s excellent performance, but her co-stars (besides Broadbent) and even the plot seems to grind to a halt when she isn’t talking. Every scene seems to be a set up for an ‘Oscar clip’ from Streep, and in that sense the film has a more cynical edge to it, becoming more concerned with being a prestige piece than entertainment.
As you may have guessed by now, Streep is excellent. Of course she is. She was always going to sink her teeth into this kind of role, and the transformation is astonishing. Both as an elderly Thatcher and as the politician in her prime, every mannerism, look and tone is pitch perfect. Humanising someone whom even President Reagan admitted being intimidated by is something of a feat, but there are moments, particularly in a scene where Thatcher refuses to give in to her dementia, where you feel sorry for her. Bolstering this is Broadbent, who as ever is a wonderful support. Sadly there is not much outside of these two performances (Richard E Grant is entirely miscast as Michael Heseltine).
Shaky storytelling is covered up by a tremendous performance from Streep. Although this is little more than a basic look at ‘Maggie’s’ life and work, this two-hour Oscar bait may just do the job thanks to the labours of its leading lady, and don’t be surprised at a nod for Broadbent too. Neither the celebration her supporters wanted, nor the public execution her detractors expected.
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