Meryl Streep metamorphoses into Margaret Thatcher in the movie about a powerful public servant, wife, and mother
Meryl Streep is a chameleon. She has played the dragon lady of fashion, a Victorian lady, a veteran cook – you name it. In the latest Oscar-nominated The Iron Lady, Meryl is Margaret Thatcher – both as her adult and senior self.
Synopsis
The Iron Lady focuses more on Thatcher’s personal life after the retirement – her struggle to accept the fact that her husband (Dennis Thatcher, played mischievously by Jim Broadbent) is dead. The late Dennis is the voice in her head, her best friend, and the only person she takes care of.
It is no wonder that Maggie (Margaret’s public nickname) could not let Dennis go, for they seem like a matchmake in heaven. He was supportive from day 1, knowing his then-girlfriend was always going to be a public servant and not a stay-at-home mother. She is dictating, and he is a jovial soul. She seeks for affection and he never fails to take care of her. She is his ‘boss’ but she obeys his commands.
In between Margaret’s struggle with dementia, are flashbacks of her glorious days. From her initial failures to sit in the Parliament because she was ‘just a grocer’s daughter’, to the perseverance that brought her up to the Prime Minister’s seat. Being the first ever woman Prime Minister of the country, her time was nowhere near easy – IRA brutal terrors was just one of the long list of her problems.
Things we love from Iron Lady
1. The boss at work, the wife and mother at home
Young Margaret (Alexandra Roach) & Dennis (Harry Lloyd)
Some call her a feminist for governing a team of men at work. Margaret is known for her stern decisions, and no-tolerance policy to countries with clashing policies with Britain. She carried on declaring war to protect a small island of Britain’s territory. At home, she poaches eggs for her husband, manages his daily attire, and listens to his words for essential matters. However, the movie also portrays how Margaret loses out on her twins’ growing up because of her impossible work schedule.
2. Dennis Thatcher
Call it a senior man crush, because we are totally in love with Dennis Thatcher’s character! His ‘take-it-easy’ attitude, his sincere smile, his commitment to let the wife steps on a higher career ladder than he does, and his stern principle: no matter how busy she is, Margaret is also a wife and a mother.
3. The little details
The Iron Lady pays great attention to little body gestures that make us believe – Streep is Thatcher. From the nail tapping on the table when Maggie is impatient to the diagonal leg-crossing when she sits. Being a public servant does not make Margaret any less of a lady – her signature blue clothing ensembles, the pillbox hat in her early days, the low heels, and of course the twin pearl necklace from Dennis, as also portrayed well in the movie.
4. The inspirational quotes for women
‘We will stand on principle, or we will not stand at all.’
‘One must be brave if one is to take the wheel.’
‘Economics is just like managing your household.’
‘Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become. My father always said that, and I think I am fine.’
Her words, despite any political controversies surrounding her, stay true and as women, we need to remember those words to face daily battles.
Things missing from The Iron Lady
1. A real storyline
This movie solely hangs onto Meryl Streep’s impersonation of Margaret Thatcher that it lacks the up-and-down plot a good movie requires. There is a reason why Streep gets the Oscar nod but the movie does not make it to the Best Picture line-up.
2. *SPOILER ALERT* The over-the-top farewell symbolization with Dennis
We think an A-class movie like The Iron Lady deserves a more subtle symbolization of Dennis – Maggie farewell to avoid looking like a cliche tearjerker drama.
Venus verdict: a must-watch especially for women. This is a powerful movie that will inspire you to get back on your feet and be your own version of a powerful yet loving woman.
Ladies, stand on your principles or do not stand at all! – Margaret Thatcher. Our version of The Iron Lady movie… http://t.co/oeCha5yb
Meryl is a genius, and I think every lady should watch The Iron Lady. http://t.co/1cMoJXCN