Jim Broadbent and Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"; photo courtesy of the Weinstein Company

“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company) 

Any review of the film “The Iron Lady” should start with a salute to Meryl Streep. As Margaret Thatcher she is nothing short of riveting. Streep has given great performances in the past but this one tops them all. The accent, the look, the persona give us a living breathing Thatcher on screen. That the plot doesn’t match the performance is a small quibble. Streep’s performance is worth more than any charge for admission.

Director Phyllida Lloyd has chosen to tell Thatcher’s story in flashbacks, thus we see her in the present as a slightly addled older woman. She has people caring for her and her daughter Carol (Olivia Colman) is very attentive. The person who helps her most is her husband Dennis (Jim Broadbent). He makes her laugh; he makes her happy; he gives her advice. The only problem is he is dead. Yes Dennis exists only in her mind and this scares her as she fears she is losing hers.

Different occurrences take her back into time. She remembers listening to her father as she worked in the family shop. He was quite an orator and he inspired her interest in politics. Young Margaret (Alexandra Roach) strove for a good education and a chance to get into politics which she did. With Dennis by her side she made it all the way to Prime Minister. Unfortunately her relationship with their twins, Carol and Mark, suffered.

The tale of Thatcher’s rise to power is an interesting one though not an inspiring one. Streep captures Thatcher’s character but the script does not provide a pathway into her soul. We get glimpses of what makes her great but not a full picture. This lack of information makes the movie less than it should be.

Broadbent is truly supportive as the quirky but loveable Dennis. He and Streep create an odd couple of sorts but one that makes a good team. Colman is also touching as the daughter. Mark, the other child, never appears on screen as an adult.

The film is rated PG-13 for profanity, violence and one scene of gratuitous nudity.

The movie is Meryl Streep. All else fades away and leaves her standing triumphant. She has never done better work or created a more indelible character. If the movie had matched her skills it would have been a masterpiece.

I scored “The Iron Lady” a strong 6 out of 10.