Streep's stellar performance is trapped within a less than stellar film. For me, too much focus of Thatcher's mental decline whilst they rushed through and squandered the dramatic potential of many key events in her tenure. Streep's transformation into Thatcher is incredible and holds the film together but only just about.
Props to Olivia Colman for the dodgiest prosthesis I have seen in some time.
6/10
I did not want to go and watch this movie. Why? I thought anyhow if the movie portrays MT as some divine political leader I will scream! (I scream quite loud!). However, I was pleasantly surprised that I quite enjoyed this movie. The main reason of course is MS's performance. Incredible. For me I think this is the best impersonation she has ever did, and of a real living person she captures everything so well - the body movements, the speech etc. Very well done, and deserving of the best female actor nomination. Jim Broadbent doesn't get mentioned much, and of course, it was nice to see Olivia as Carol.
ReplyDeleteThe story was well written. It keeps the political aspect of MT quite neutral and leaves it to the audience to make up their mind about what she was like as a political figure. On one hand I felt wow, she was a strong feminist to end up leading an all male party in an all male government. However, later it shows how she ends up being a poor leader and loses touch with her colleagues and public. I think the film showed something beyond just MT. It showed how we treat the elderly in our society. The opening scene where she gets shoved aside when trying to buy a pint of milk to signs that as once the head of the government she is forgotten by society, her party, and even her son rarely speaks to her. This made me feel for the character not MT but reminded me generally of elderly folk.
The set design, costumes and setting needs mentioning also. Like Tinker, Tailor The Iron Lady recreates the 1980s very well. Ubaid.
Score: 7/10