One of greatest actresses of our time
Meryl Streep deserves every accolade bestowed upon her as one of greatest actresses of our time and miraculously dissolves into Margaret, comfortable slipping under the hardened skin of rational ruler and the gentle soul of a romantic idealist. Streep's notable performance is never repressed by the brilliant transformation achieved by Mark Coulier through his prosthetics make-up design, or an actress trying to impersonate an iconic legend, but masterfully defined by her unique ability to be, to become the different personas of a woman without intrusion or showing off. Her performance is so alarmingly truthful that there are moments when you really have to convince yourself that Streep is actually present. Her unseen inhabitancy of character is pure genius.
Jim Broadbent is superb as Denis Thatcher, perfectly capturing the man behind the woman and the soul behind the tyrant; Broadbent's playful and almost childlike candour is superbly contrasted by the illness that robbed him of his youthful optimism. Equally brilliant are Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd as the young Margaret and Denis, with great support from Olivia Colman as Margaret's daughter.
Director Phillida Lloyd's significant understanding of the subject matter and issues dealt with, her interpretation of the text and her visual sensibility make this a truly radiant and emotionally captivating cinematic experience that is well crafted and showcases the artistry of the storyteller and story maker at its most exciting. Lloyd skilfully uses sound, image and performance to paint a remarkable portrait; the meticulous visual detail of Margaret's Cinderella journey from outsider to dictator, from innocent young girl to adored lover, from dedicated mother to beloved wife, from nobody to celebrity, and from brainy intellectual to senile old woman is exceptional to experience. It's remarkable how Lloyd explores the inner life of the compelling text, allowing the sub-textual gold mine to drive the narrative and, equally, allow Streep to use these exquisite moments as a landmark on her introspective journey that brilliantly supports her external conflicts and confrontations, and illuminates her internal torment. In particular, the use of the programmes and sound of the performances (and screening) of The King and I, and Norma, brilliantly reflects her distinguished relationship with Denis, as well as the sacrifices she had to endure as a woman to achieve her goal. It is also noteworthy how Lloyd uses the film medium to tell the story; using faded and scratched archive footage, as well as radiant home video footage of the Thatcher's family life, this sharply contrasts the constructed reality of the drama and serve as a reminder of the memories that plagued her during the latter years of Margaret's life.
You don't have to be an expert on politics, or know anything about Margaret Thatcher, to enjoy this film - you only have to be human. It challenges and compels the viewer to contemplate the differences that divide and cause conflict and discontent; there is a delicate, but potent, life lesson in this impressive tale and journey into the understanding of life and how the precious moments spent with loved ones, and sharing them, will always eradicate the malicious nature of the darker aspects of human nature and illuminate the beauty and significance of living life to its fullest and remaining loyal to the ideals that fuels our existence.
Rating 5/5
