This film is purely a testament to how good an actress Meryl Streep is, the film pretty much flounders in every way except the acting. So let me start off by saying, I enjoyed The Iron Lady for better or for worse. Meryl Streep is quite literally incredible, the performance is uncanny and she really transforms and transports herself in this role, playing Maggie at all ages and doing it it with verve, style and above all class. But here is where my praise ends.
The Biggest problem in the Iron lady is hap-hazard, slapdash script. Written from the point-of-view of Maggie as a senile old woman seeing her dead husband, is a little cheeky considering the woman is still alive and furthermore it really slows the films pace. It presents us an "Iron Lady" who is no longer made of iron, whether this was to make the character more likable and human, I do not know but it didn't work for me. They took a controversial figure and made her not controversial, this I believe is fatal to the overall film. Also very very little of her actual political career is mentioned, another miss-handled aspect, she is the most famous woman in British politics and to not include much of her career is silly, she is famous for politics not for being senile. A straight forward biopic here would have been far more entertaining and informative.
Now the direction, well its nothing particularly spectacular, I don't believe Meryl Streep or Jim Broadbent would need much "direction" in there acting, so i'm looking at overall choices for the film, and its OK. The director chooses some impressive shots and moments; one of her walking through Parliament with her blue hat bobbing in crowd in a sea of black suits springs to mind, but others don't mesh quite as well. A tracking shot of the road leading up to Buckingham Palace is one nice shot, but utterly pointless it doesn't further the story or make any sense as to why its used, and to make it worse, it's used twice. The Cinematography is good, and manages to keep up with the pace. But thats the problem the pacing is inconsistent, her political career is breezed through (but is the most interesting aspect), and the moments of old lady Maggie are so cumbersome.
Its a real shame cause where there are moments of utter brilliance here, its the shame the writer and director couldn't live up to their lead performer. The film is worth seeing for a towering performance from Meryl Streep, but all in all it is still enjoyable. It sounds like I'm being far more negative than I intend to be, I'm just frustrated with how good this film could of been. Please watch and make up your own mind, because I would still recommend this film.
The Biggest problem in the Iron lady is hap-hazard, slapdash script. Written from the point-of-view of Maggie as a senile old woman seeing her dead husband, is a little cheeky considering the woman is still alive and furthermore it really slows the films pace. It presents us an "Iron Lady" who is no longer made of iron, whether this was to make the character more likable and human, I do not know but it didn't work for me. They took a controversial figure and made her not controversial, this I believe is fatal to the overall film. Also very very little of her actual political career is mentioned, another miss-handled aspect, she is the most famous woman in British politics and to not include much of her career is silly, she is famous for politics not for being senile. A straight forward biopic here would have been far more entertaining and informative.
Now the direction, well its nothing particularly spectacular, I don't believe Meryl Streep or Jim Broadbent would need much "direction" in there acting, so i'm looking at overall choices for the film, and its OK. The director chooses some impressive shots and moments; one of her walking through Parliament with her blue hat bobbing in crowd in a sea of black suits springs to mind, but others don't mesh quite as well. A tracking shot of the road leading up to Buckingham Palace is one nice shot, but utterly pointless it doesn't further the story or make any sense as to why its used, and to make it worse, it's used twice. The Cinematography is good, and manages to keep up with the pace. But thats the problem the pacing is inconsistent, her political career is breezed through (but is the most interesting aspect), and the moments of old lady Maggie are so cumbersome.
Its a real shame cause where there are moments of utter brilliance here, its the shame the writer and director couldn't live up to their lead performer. The film is worth seeing for a towering performance from Meryl Streep, but all in all it is still enjoyable. It sounds like I'm being far more negative than I intend to be, I'm just frustrated with how good this film could of been. Please watch and make up your own mind, because I would still recommend this film.