Meryl Streep stars in a biography of Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady.  Written by Abi Morgan who also penned the screenplay for the controversial Shame which came out last week. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd who also directed Mamma Mia! with Streep.  

You don’t need to know much about Margaret Thatcher or her legacy as the Prime Minister of England to follow this movie and appreciate Streep’s acting. If you are a fan of Meryl Streep then this movie is a must-see. 

It consists of a lot of flashbacks and shows the rise and fall of Thatcher.  Women like Margaret aren’t born every day, she was lucky to have a man beside her that gave her the confidence and love she needed to be who she became.  

The flashbacks show her aged and going in and out of fantasy, and thoughts of her life. Missing her now deceased husband.  

She gave up a lot of her personal life to be a Prime Minister. Her children grew, her husband became ill, he passed on, her son moved to another continent and she gradually lost grip with reality as can happen with old age.

Meryl Streep is nominated for the best actress Academy Award for her role.  She’s no stranger to nominations and wins. Streep is one of the most versatile actresses of this century with more than 40 years experience.  She is a familiar face, kind voice. When she cries we cry, when she smiles we smile.  I can sit through any of her movies again and again.  Out of Africa with Robert Redford, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, Julie & Julia, Death Becomes Her and so many more.  She’s truly gifted and the lead contender to win the Oscar for The Iron Lady.  

It takes one great actress to play a great political and historical role like the life of Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher may not have been the best Prime Minister to some and in retrospect made her mistakes in office, they all do. But she did accomplish a lot, being selected the first female Prime Minister of England is a huge feat. 

Young Margaret is played by an established Welsh actress Alexandra Roach and young Denis Thatcher is played by Harry Lloyd (Games of Thrones, Jane Eyre).  Lloyd has a great personality and charms his lady love. They are what most couples may strive a lifetime to be, partners. With the love and support of Denis, Margaret achieves her highest hopes and dreams. Sadly she pays the price of ambition and isn't as involved in watching her kids grow up or spending time with the husband that loves her.  

The older Denis is played by Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Arthur Christmas) who plays brilliantly in my opinion.  

This movie is a reminder of how much ambition is too much ambition?  What is the price you’d pay to have your dreams come to fruition?  What are you willing to give up?  

As Margaret sat in her living room replaying a family vacation over and over from years past with husband and children, she knew nothing would ever bring those moments back. Ever.

Four Patches out of five.

Playing at Regency Rancho Niguel 8 25471 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel, ‎11:50 a.m.‎  ‎2:20 p.m.‎  ‎4:50 p.m.‎  ‎7:40 p.m.‎  ‎10:15 p.m.‎