RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 18, 2012, Film
Streep is golden
Like a quarterback at the end of a championship game, Meryl Streep carries "The Iron Lady" on her back towards something less than victory.
In 1994 I was fortunate to attend a speech by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at my alma mater, College of the Ozarks. She had been out of office less than four years, but was no less impressive with an address about the rule of law. Delivered with firm resolution and eloquence, I could not help but think of that night so many years ago as I watched Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe-winning portrayal of her in The Iron Lady.
It’s hard to argue if Streep has ever been better. She vanishes into her role with all the skillful brilliance of the multiple award-winning actress that she is. Streep is superb at conveying Thatcher’s scope—including her failure to listen to others—and her diminished capacities in later years, which in their totality show her to be as human as everyone else.
Streep shares abundant chemistry with James Broadbent, who plays Thatcher’s devoted and mischievous husband Denis who is a figment of her imagination for most of the film. As presented in the film, her passionate pursuit of political power had a negative effect on her family despite Denis’ devotion.
While the two lead performers are certainly worth watching, The Iron Lady is a disappointing whole. Its previews were more misleading than most in recent memory. Instead of a true biopic that could have delved into her inspirational fight against an entrenched, male-dominated political establishment, director Phyllida Lloyd, best known for her work in opera and 2008’s Mamma Mia!, instead only gives us perfunctory snippets of what is a remarkable story. Lloyd erroneously chose to focus on Thatcher’s later years after which small strokes have left her confused, forgetful, and sometimes delusional.
The pacing of The Iron Lady is erratic and often equals the chaos of a Jackson Pollack painting. Thatcher’s story is a missed opportunity by Lloyd to create something truly remarkable. However, still look Streep to get at least an Oscar nomination if not the statue itself next month.
On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, The Iron Lady receives a C.
The Iron Lady is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 105 minutes.
Now showing through January 19 @
Glenwood Arts
9575 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com, or call 913-642-4404 for more information.
Indie Film Editor
Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.
In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.
Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.
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