Films > Film Reviews

The Iron Lady

06/01/12

Margaret Thatcher – there’s a name to strike fear or respect, anger or pride into the hearts of everyone that lived through the 1980s. For those who don’t know her, the title is not just something witty thought up by writer Abi Morgan (The Hour, Shame) - that was her nickname, and was used in equal measure by those who loved and loathed her.

There is no doubt that she had girl power the likes of which the Spice Girls could only dream of, and to get to the top as a woman, no doubt she had to be hard as nails. She wouldn’t have just burnt her bra – she’d have sent a naval destroyer to shoot it out of the fucking ocean (if that joke doesn’t make sense, ask your dad). However this article is about the film, it is not a history lesson, and like most films about ex-leaders it has the same decision to make. Attack, defend, or somewhere in-between? I enjoyed Oliver Stone’s ‘W’ as he managed to actually show compassion for George W Bush, whereas it must have been tempting to portray him in a red nose and clown shoes. In the end it worked because it highlighted the problems with a system that allows a man like that to come to power, but will this film walk that fine line? We shall see.

As rare as a woman premier is, almost as rare is a major female leading role, and this one has “Oscar for Meryl Streep” written all over it, making that particular battle seem about as one sided as the Falklands war.

This film’s strength lays in the performance, and not just Ms. Streep’s, as alongside her, you have Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher and Richard E. Grant as Michael Heseltine, which means it looks like this film is in much safer hands than the coal mines (again, ask your dad).