Need more proof as to Meryl Streep‘s status as our finest working film actress?
Look no further than her riviting and flawless performance as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
In THE IRON LADY we flash back from her now dementia impaired living status to a career that had made her the most famous and influential woman of the 20th Century. An 11 year long political reign of running the British government that began in 1979 and ended in 1990.
And even further back to her humble origins as the daughter of a local grocer.
But there’s something quite unusual here. The film itself is good. Yet Meryl Streep’s performance and portrayal of Thatcher far exceeds it.
When she becomes the nation’s tough commander leading England into the Falklands War, there’s no doubt in your mind that Streep is Margaret Thatcher.
Matter of fact, I accepted Streep as the character she portrays from the first scenes—something that normally takes me at least 10 to 15 minutes into a film depicting a still living major international personality.
THE IRON LADY is a motion picture of contrasting images of Britain’s first ever female prime minister, who was also a mother. And in many ways it could be defined as an intimate personal portrait as she now deals almost daily with her husband Denis Thatcher—who had actually died 8 years earlier. He’s wonderfully portrayed by Jim Broadbent.
The bottom line: There may be a bit too much flashing back and forth for my taste, but THE IRON LADY is definitely worth seeing by the serious moviegoer.
Sometimes I approach my personal rating of a movie from two perspectives; as the total film experience and from the standpoint of a specific leading performance.
That’s the case with THE IRON LADY.
3-1/2 OUT OF 5 fingers for the film, but 5 fingers in response to Ms. Streep’s Oscar worthy performance.
She WILL be nominated for the top prize on January 24th. Count on it.
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. on NewsRadio KMBZ AM & FM and at 8:20 a.m. on 1660 RADIO BACH. Also anytime on Time-Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND, Channel 411.
Streep Is Our Best Today
As always a well done review Jack. We have been blessed to have been around for all the wonderful work of the Great Meryal Steep. As we both know today we live in a world of “negative publicity”…reality TV, few adult films, these kinds of pictures have far to small an audience. This lady arguably is the best overall actress of all time, yet the public’s interest in Steep is just too small. Unfair and proves that talent just doesn’t matter enough today. Quite sad…I will now go out of my way to see this movie, thanks again Jack.
Glaze, I am not sure M Streep is underappreciated.
Streep has received 16 Academy Award nominations, winning two, and 26 Golden Globe nominations, winning seven, more nominations than any other actor in the history of either award.[citation needed] Her work has also earned her two Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Cannes Film Festival award, five New York Film Critics Circle Awards, five Grammy Award nominations, a BAFTA award, an Australian Film Institute Award and a Tony Award nomination, amongst others.[citation needed] She was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2004.
She might be one of the most celebrated actresses of all time.
Just my opinion, but the lady seems to generate a great deal of public attention every time she makes a flick.
BTW. I agree, she really is an artist, a Rembrandt amongst Warhols in Hollywood, imo.
Chuck’s right, Glazer. Of course, you’re not going to see much about Streep in Hustler. Maybe that’s your problem?
The Queen
She is the queen of Hollywood. Right now, I’d see anything she’s in and just about anything Clooney is in. She effing destroyed me in Kramer vs Kramer. Haven’t seen a bad movie that she’s been in. Can’t wait for this one.
Well, Fred, didn’t you see Mama Mia? Wish I hadn’t. I won’t go back as far as Kramer vs Kramer but do you remember Defending Your Life (Albert Brooks-early 90s)? She won we over in that one.
Hats off to STREEP
Hey Cliffy, MAMMA MIA the Movie may not have been Oscar material. But when I first heard that Streep had been cast in the lead role I never thought she could—or would pull it off. But by God she did…even though she was about 15 years too old for the role. She even did her own singing!!!
Hats off to Ms. Streep. She’s as good as it gets in tinsel town.
Streep as Peep!
My only strike against her is Bridges of Madison county when she and old Clint are tongue-ing it up.the way old people shouldn’t be tongue-ing it up, at least on film. I have to turn away at that scene. Disturbing.
That being said sales of “senior porn” is the fasting growing category in that genre. My favorite is Still 69-ing at 69 followed by Emma and the Enima and Grandma’s Golden Globes.
Jesus Jack
I love Streep, but, Mamma Mia!!
That had to be a 21st century Clockwork Orange for ya.
Did ya have toothpicks holdin your eyes open??
Just the trailers goaded me into sonic wails of agony.
Brutal.
Looks Like
Streep was tearing into that free bubbly at the Golden Globes last night. Rambling speech aside, I think I like her even more now.