Movie Review: “The Iron Lady”

2011
PG-13, 105 minutes

Reviewed by Maria Whelan, 19
Massachusetts

The Iron Lady, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Abi Morgan, stars Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, and Richard E. Grant. A personal portrayal of Margaret Thatcher's political, social, and familial life, The Iron Lady captures the engrossing tale of a woman who changed the face of politics worldwide. Margaret Roberts Thatcher worked her way from the daughter of a small-town grocer to the first female prime minister of Great Britain. The movie depicts an older Thatcher, lost in memories and reflections of the past. In her senile imaginations, Thatcher moves through the most significant moments of her life, filled with constant battles to prove that women are just as capable, if not more so, of running a country than men. Always doubted, Thatcher found herself strengthening her high, feminine voice, making changes to her wardrobe, and paving the way for women to confidently sit in positions of power, surrounded by male peers.

Meryl Streep, a stunning and driven actress, brings the desperation, loneliness, and incredible power of Margaret Thatcher to life. Pulled along by a powerful current of emotion, I deeply enjoyed watching the youthful and inquisitive Margaret Roberts blossom into the political powerhouse of Margaret Thatcher. In a world where women are categorized by their promiscuity, intelligence, poise, and relationship with men—it was refreshing to watch a movie based solely on a woman, connected but not entwined to the men around her.

A good friend of Ronald Reagan's, Margaret Thatcher was a conservative political mind. The movie shows the constant fight between the liberal and conservative parties, as well as real clips from Margaret Thatcher's time in office. The political statement is powerful but not overwhelming, and regardless of your political leaning, this movie is wonderfully entertaining and very moving.

Overall, I found the movie to fit my interests like a glove. I was deeply moved and empowered by Thatcher's incredible presence as a political woman in Britain, but I also loved the romance between Thatcher and her husband. The Iron Lady was rich in detail and depth, I found myself eager to learn more about Thatcher and her politics. Unique in its multifaceted approach, The Iron Lady is a romantic drama tied neatly together by fantastic performances by Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent. I left the theater excited by the great possibility of female leadership in this world.