The Iron Lady
Directed by | Phyllida Lloyd
Produced by | Damian Jones
Written by | Abi Morgan
Starring | Meryl Streep Jim Broadbent Anthony Head Richard E. Grant Iain Glen Olivia Colman
Music by | Thomas Newman[1]
Cinematography | Elliott Davis
Editing by | Justin Wright
Studio | Path? Film4 Productions UK Film Council Media Rights Capital Goldcrest Films
Distributed by | The Weinstein Company (US) 20th Century Fox (UK) Path? (International)
Release dates | 26 December 2011 (2011-12-26) (Australia) 30 December 2011 (2011-12-30) (United States) 6 January 2012 (2012-01-06) (United Kingdom) 15 February 2012 (2012-02-15) (France) [2][3]
Running time | 105 min
Country | United Kingdom France
Language | English
Budget | $14 million
Box office | $114,943,631 [2]

The Iron Lady is a 2011 British biographical film based on the life of Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of the 20th century.[4] The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Thatcher is portrayed primarily by Meryl Streep,[5] but also, in her formative and early political years, by Alexandra Roach. Thatcher's husband, Denis Thatcher, is portrayed by Jim Broadbent, and Thatcher's longest-serving cabinet member and eventual deputy, Geoffrey Howe, is portrayed by Anthony Head.[6]

While the film was met with mixed reviews, Streep's performance was widely acclaimed, and considered to be one of the finest of her career. She received her 17th Academy Award nomination and ultimately the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Thatcher across four decades. She also earned her third Golden Globe Award for Best Actress ? Motion Picture Drama (eighth overall), and her second BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

## Plot[edit]

The film begins circa 2008 (opening against the backdrop of news of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing) with an elderly Lady Thatcher buying milk unrecognized by other customers and walking back from the shop alone. Over the course of three days we see her struggle with dementia and with the lack of power that comes with old age, while looking back on defining moments of her personal and professional life, on which she reminisces with her (now dead) husband, Denis Thatcher. She is shown as having difficulty distinguishing between the past and present. A theme throughout the film is the personal price which Thatcher has paid for power. Denis is portrayed as somewhat ambivalent about his wife's rise to power, her son Mark lives in South Africa and is shown as having little contact with his mother, and it is implied that Thatcher's relationship with her daughter Carol is at times strained.

In flashback we are shown Thatcher's youth, working in the family grocery store in Grantham, listening to the political speeches of her father, whom she idolised - it is also hinted that she had a poor relationship with her mother, a housewife - and announcing that she has won a place at the University of Oxford. She remembers her struggle, as a young lower-middle class woman, to break into a snobbish male-dominated Tory party and find a seat in the House of Commons, along with businessman Denis Thatcher's marriage proposal to her. Her struggles to fit in as a "Lady Member" of the House, and as Education Secretary in Edward Heath's cabinet are also shown, as are her friendship with Airey Neave (later assassinated by the Irish National Liberation Army), her decision to stand for Leader of the Conservative Party, and her voice coaching and image change.

Further flashbacks examine historical events during her time as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom including the rising unemployment related to her monetarist policies and the tight 1981 budget (over the misgivings of "wet" members of her Cabinet ? Ian Gilmour, Francis Pym, Michael Heseltine and Jim Prior), the Brixton Riots of 1981, the miners' strike of 1984?5, and the bombing of the Grand Hotel during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference, when she and Denis were almost killed. We also see (slightly out of chronological sequence) her decision to retake the Falkland Islands following the islands' invasion by Argentina in 1982, the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano and Britain's subsequent victory in the Falklands War, her friendship with Ronald Reagan and emergence as a world figure, and the economic boom of the late 1980s.

By 1990 Thatcher is shown as an imperious but aging figure, ranting aggressively at her Cabinet, refusing to accept that the Community Charge (the "Poll Tax") is regarded as unjust, and fiercely opposed to European Integration. Her deputy Geoffrey Howe resigns after being humiliated by her in a Cabinet meeting, Michael Heseltine challenges her for the party leadership and her loss of support from her Cabinet colleagues leaves her little choice but to resign as Prime Minister, about which she is shown as still angry and bitter twenty years later.

Eventually, Margaret is shown packing up her late husband's belongings, and telling him it's time for him to go. Denis's ghost leaves her fully dressed but without his shoes - in spite of her cries that she is not yet ready to lose him, and she is left alone washing up a teacup.

## Selected cast[edit]

- Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher
- Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher[7]
- Alexandra Roach as young Margaret Thatcher[8]
- Harry Lloyd as young Denis Thatcher
- Iain Glen as Alfred Roberts
- Olivia Colman as Carol Thatcher
- Anthony Head as Geoffrey Howe
- Nicholas Farrell as Airey Neave
- Richard E. Grant as Michael Heseltine
- Martin Wimbush as Mark Carlisle
- Paul Bentley as Douglas Hurd
- Robin Kermode as John Major
- John Sessions as Edward Heath
- Roger Allam as Gordon Reece
- Michael Pennington as Michael Foot
- Angus Wright as John Nott
- Julian Wadham as Francis Pym
- Nick Dunning as Jim Prior
- Ronald Reagan as himself (archive footage)
- Reginald Green as Ronald Reagan[9]

## Production[edit]

Filming began in the UK on 31 December 2010, and the film was released in late 2011.

In preparation for her role, Streep sat through a session at the House of Commons in January 2011 to observe British MPs in action.[10] Extensive filming took place at the neogothic Manchester Town Hall, which is often used as a location double for films which feature the Houses of Parliament because of its architectural similarity.[11]

Meryl Streep has said: "The prospect of exploring the swathe cut through history by this remarkable woman is a daunting and exciting challenge. I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervour and attention to detail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses ? I can only hope my stamina will begin to approach her own."[12]

## Reception[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film currently holds a "rotten" rating of 53% based on 193 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10.[13] Metacritic gives the film a score of 54 based on 41 reviews by critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[14]

The film's depiction of Thatcher has been criticized by her children, Mark and Carol Thatcher, who are reported to have said, prior to having seen the film, that "it sounds like some left-wing fantasy."[15] Stuart Jeffries of the British newspaper The Guardian was cautiously optimistic about a non-British actor playing Thatcher, but expressed politically coloured concern that its "narrative trajectory" could overlook "rage about what Thatcher, economy destroyer and warmonger, was doing to Britain" in favour of an "exclusive focus on Thatcher as a woman triumphing against the odds."[7] Karen Sue Smith of America Magazine, however, wrote that "by combining the Baroness?s real roles of wife, mother and leader, the film?s portrait of her does what many purported ?lives of great men? fail to do?namely, show the person in context, in the quotidian."[16]

The Mail on Sunday reported in August 2011 that some viewers invited to a test screening of the unfinished film were concerned at the film?s depiction of Margaret Thatcher?s frail health in recent years.[17] This view was also shared in the media subsequent to the film's release. The Daily Telegraph reported in January 2012 that "it is impossible not to be disturbed by her depiction of Lady Thatcher's decline into dementia" as part of an article that was headlined: "The Iron Lady reflects society's insensitive attitude towards people with dementia."[18] Roger Ebert gave the film two stars out of four, praising Streep's performance but lamenting that "she's all dressed up with nowhere to go" in a film that cannot decide what it wants to say about Thatcher; "[f]ew people were neutral in their feelings about [Thatcher], except the makers of this picture".[19]

Film review blog Movie Metropolis praised Streep's performance but criticized the lack of depth given to the rest of the story, which seemed to only focus on the glory days of Thatcher's reign.[20]

Despite mixed reviews, Streep's performance in the title role garnered near universal acclaim. The Times Kevin Maher said: "Streep has found the woman within the caricature."[21] David Gritten at The Telegraph commented; "Awards should be coming Streep's way; yet her brilliance rather overshadows the film itself."[22] Xan Brooks of The Guardian said Streep's performance "is astonishing and all but flawless".[23] Critic Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail wrote: "Only an actress of Streep's stature could possibly capture Thatcher's essence and bring it to the screen. It's a performance of towering proportions that sets a new benchmark for acting."[24] Richard Corliss of Time named Meryl Streep's performance one of the Top 10 Movie Performances of 2011.[25]

Becoming her most lauded performance since Sophie's Choice, Streep's portrayal ultimately garnered her the Academy Award for Best Actress (her 17th nomination and third award overall), as well as several other awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress ? Motion Picture Drama.[26][27] The film also won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.

## Box office[edit]

As of April 26, 2012, The Iron Lady has grossed $30,004,924 in the United States and Canada, along with $84,938,707 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $114,943,631.

## Soundtrack[edit]

1. Soldiers of the Queen
2. MT
3. Grocer's Daughter
4. Grand Hotel
5. Swing Parliament
6. Shall We Dance?
7. Denis
8. The Great in Great Britain
9. Airey Neave
10. Discord and Harmony
11. The Twins
12. Nation of Shopkeepers
13. Fiscal Responsibiility
14. Crisis of Confidence
15. Community Charge
16. Casta Diva
17. The Difficult Decisions
18. Exclusion Zone
19. Statecraft
20. Steady the Buffs
21. Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846 (J.S. Bach)

The trailer for the film features Madness' ska/pop song "Our House".[28] The teaser trailer features Clint Mansell's theme tune for the sci-fi movie Moon.[28]

Not included on the soundtrack album or listings although credited among the eight songs at the end of the film is "(I'm In Love With) Margaret Thatcher" by Burnley punk band Notsensibles, which was re-released as a single due to the publicity.

## Awards and nominations[edit]

Awards and Nominations
Award | Category | Nominee | Result
--- | --- | --- | ---
84th Academy Awards[29][30] | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
Best Makeup | Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland | Won
Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts | Best International Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
BAFTA Awards[31][32] | Best Leading Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
Best Original Screenplay | Abi Morgan | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor | Jim Broadbent | Nominated
Best Makeup and Hair | Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland | Won
Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Best Make-up | Marese Langan | Nominated
Central Ohio Film Critics Association | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Denver Film Critics Society | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress ? Motion Picture Drama | Meryl Streep | Won
Irish Film and Television Awards | Best International Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Best Costume Design | Consolata Boyle | Won
London Critics Circle Film Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
British Actress of the Year | Olivia Colman | Won
National Society of Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
2011 New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
New York Film Critics Online Awards 2011 | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Satellite Awards | Best Actress ? Motion Picture | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards | Female Actor in a Leading Role | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Won
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Actress | Meryl Streep | Nominated

## Home media[edit]

The DVD release date was April 10, 2012.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Thomas Newman to Score ?The Iron Lady?". Film Music Reporter. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
2. ^ a b "The Iron Lady". Box Office Mojo. 26 April, 2012. Retrieved 27 April, 2012. Check date values in: `|date=, |accessdate=` (help)
3. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (22 April 2011). "Meet Meryl, the queen of the blues as new pictures reveal her latest role as The Iron Lady". Daily Mail (UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
4. ^ Hoyle, Ben (21 March 2007). "Iron Lady set to follow the Queen on screen". The Times (UK). Retrieved 25 January 2011.
5. ^ Peck, Tom (2 July 2010). "Meryl Streep takes on her toughest role: the Iron Lady". The Independent (UK). Retrieved 25 January 2011.
6. ^ "The Iron Lady (2011)". IMDb. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
7. ^ a b Jefferies, Stuart (9 February 2011). "Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher ? what's not to like?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
8. ^ Thompson, Jody (18 February 2011). "First look: Newcomer Alexandra Roach who's set to become a star as a young Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady". Daily Mail. UK. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
9. ^ Palmer, Martyn (29 November 2011). "An American playing Margaret Thatcher? Behind the scenes on the remarkable film starring Meryl Streep as The Iron Lady". Daily Mail (UK). Retrieved 19 December 2011.
10. ^ "Meryl Streep attends parliament for Thatcher research". The Independent. UK. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
11. ^ McQueeney, Kerry (5 December 2011). "The day Meryl Streep gate-crashed our wedding: Moment Hollywood legend made an appearance at couple's special day... dressed as Margaret Thatcher". Daily Mail. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
12. ^ "Image of Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher unveiled". BBC News. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
13. ^ "The Iron Lady (2011)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
14. ^ "The Iron Lady". Metacritic. 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
15. ^ Walker, Tim (17 July 2010). "Margaret Thatcher's family are 'appalled' at Meryl Streep film". The Daily Telegraph (UK). Retrieved 25 January 2011.
16. ^ Karen Sue, Smith (20 February 2011). "A Grocer's Daughter". America Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
17. ^ Walters, Simon (21 August 2011). "Friends revulsion at film that portrays Lady Thatcher as 'granny going mad'". The Mail on Sunday (Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
18. ^ "The Iron Lady and Margaret Thatcher's dementia: Why this despicable film makes voyeurs of us all'". The Daily Telegraph (UK). 14 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
19. ^ The Iron Lady rogerebert.com. Retrieved 8 February 2012
20. ^ "Review: The Iron Lady (2011)". Movie Metropolis. January 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
21. ^ Meryl Streep film The Iron Lady wows British critics BBC. Retrieved 16 November 2011
22. ^ The Iron Lady: review The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 November 2011
23. ^ The Iron Lady: first screening The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2011
24. ^ An insult? No, this shows why Maggie was so mighty Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 November 2011
25. ^ Corliss, Richard (7 December 2011). "The Top 10 Everything of 2011 ? Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady". Time. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
26. ^ "Meryl Streep Explains Globes Cursing". Access Hollywood. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
27. ^ BAFTA winners announced
28. ^ a b The Iron Lady Movie official homepage
29. ^ "Oscar 2012 winners?? The full list". The Guardian. UK. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
30. ^ "Nominees and Winners for the 84th Academy Awards". Academy Awards of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars). Retrieved 27 March 2012.
31. ^ "Bafta Film Awards 2012: Nominations". 27 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
32. ^ Pond, Steve (12 February 2012). "'The Artist' Dominates at BAFTA Awards". Reuters. Retrieved 27 March 2012.

## External links[edit]

- Official website
- The Iron Lady at the Internet Movie Database
- The Iron Lady at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Iron Lady at allmovie

Margaret Thatcher
13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013 Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979–1990) Leader of the Conservative Party (1975–1990) Member of Parliament for Finchley (1959–1992) Death and funeral (2013)
Member of Parliament | Finchley Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 Shadow Cabinet |
Ideology | Thatcherism Conservatism
Premiership | First ministry (1979–1983) Second ministry (1983–1987) Third ministry (1987–1990) Cold War 1981 United Kingdom budget 1981 Irish hunger strike The lady's not for turning Falklands War Brighton hotel bombing Opposition to trade unions Miners' strike Local Government Act Westland affair Sermon on the Mound 1988 broadcasting restrictions Community Charge Gulf War Resignation Honours
Party elections | 1975 1989 1990
General elections | 1979 1983 1987
Books | The Downing Street Years The Path to Power Statecraft: Strategies for a Changing World
Family | Sir Denis Thatcher, 1st Bt (husband) The Hon. Sir Mark Thatcher, 2nd Bt (son) The Hon. Carol Thatcher (daughter) Alfred Roberts (father)
Cultural depictions | Thatcher: The Final Days The Falklands Play Pinochet in Suburbia The Long Walk to Finchley Margaret The Iron Lady The Hunt for Tony Blair In Search of La Che Steve Nallon Janet Brown
Book Category Commons