Escape to the Movies: Iron Lady
- Thread starter MovieBob
- Start date
Just watched it today.
First of all, I have to admit to being deeply, deeply ignorant about British politics and modern British history. Heck, I didn't even know who Margaret Thatcher was until a couple years ago, and even then had only a vague notion of her being a strong-willed past prime minister of Britain ('s what I get for being born in the 90's -_-). So I came into the movie knowing almost nothing about her and her corresponding years in office.
As a result, I really appreciated the personal yet politically-neutral approach the film took. Yes, yes, I know a lot of biopics take that route, and it can seem cowardly and lily-livered...but I found it helpful as a essentially-neutral (unknowledgeable) viewer. I just wanted to know about the woman, about the events surrounding her; I would have had no use for political subtext and bias. And I felt I got a good idea of who she was and what she was like, so I went away satisfied. True, no other characters received the same blessed narrative treatment that Streep's got: revealed motives, inner conflicts, etc. But isn't that how it should be by default? The movie's about one person and her perspective, not anyone else's. *shrugs* The film wasn't mind-blowing, and in fact its ending was too abrupt, but it was edifying--for me, at least.
To be fair, I may not have seen as many biopics as you have, Bob. I'd be fed up, too, if I saw countless flicks like this.
p.s.--I do agree: they should've waited 'til Margaret Thatcher had passed away. As humanizing (and therefore sympathetic) a portrait the movie is, nobody wants to see themselves portrayed as psychologically delusional and feeble-minded. Leave the old lady alone; let her die in peace, biopic-less.
First of all, I have to admit to being deeply, deeply ignorant about British politics and modern British history. Heck, I didn't even know who Margaret Thatcher was until a couple years ago, and even then had only a vague notion of her being a strong-willed past prime minister of Britain ('s what I get for being born in the 90's -_-). So I came into the movie knowing almost nothing about her and her corresponding years in office.
As a result, I really appreciated the personal yet politically-neutral approach the film took. Yes, yes, I know a lot of biopics take that route, and it can seem cowardly and lily-livered...but I found it helpful as a essentially-neutral (unknowledgeable) viewer. I just wanted to know about the woman, about the events surrounding her; I would have had no use for political subtext and bias. And I felt I got a good idea of who she was and what she was like, so I went away satisfied. True, no other characters received the same blessed narrative treatment that Streep's got: revealed motives, inner conflicts, etc. But isn't that how it should be by default? The movie's about one person and her perspective, not anyone else's. *shrugs* The film wasn't mind-blowing, and in fact its ending was too abrupt, but it was edifying--for me, at least.
To be fair, I may not have seen as many biopics as you have, Bob. I'd be fed up, too, if I saw countless flicks like this.
p.s.--I do agree: they should've waited 'til Margaret Thatcher had passed away. As humanizing (and therefore sympathetic) a portrait the movie is, nobody wants to see themselves portrayed as psychologically delusional and feeble-minded. Leave the old lady alone; let her die in peace, biopic-less.
The thing is, any "personal" portrayal of Margret Thatcther would be wrong. She was a old school conservative. Unemotional and hard as nails. They called her the "Iron Lady" for a reason. She had a complete lack of sentimentality and very little sympathy. Meryl's portrayal would probably focus on her "humanity" and as far as I can tell, that's something few people saw (I'm not meaning this is a cruel way. Frankly I don't care what personality traits political leaders have, it's their actions and decisions that matter).
If you've ever read or seen her use of the SAS from the Falklands War to using them in the Prison Riots and Northern Ireland I'm guessing it'd make her seem less rosey as a movie character.
To be honest I think she's a pretty poor topic for a film. TV-biopic maybe, but not this.
If you've ever read or seen her use of the SAS from the Falklands War to using them in the Prison Riots and Northern Ireland I'm guessing it'd make her seem less rosey as a movie character.
To be honest I think she's a pretty poor topic for a film. TV-biopic maybe, but not this.
I saw this film about a week ago -- mainly to watch Meryl Streep do her thing -- and while it did gloss over a lot of things, it baffles me slightly when people see that as offensive. It's a film, guys. They're not exactly known for staggering historical accuracy.
And Lordy, the hate in this thread! I'm no Thatcher expert by any measure of the imagination, but (*obligatory flameshield*) no matter what she did or how monstrous her leadership may have been, her actions weren't exactly on par with Hitler's. Planning parties and breaking out the champagne the day she dies? Stay classy, North England!
And Lordy, the hate in this thread! I'm no Thatcher expert by any measure of the imagination, but (*obligatory flameshield*) no matter what she did or how monstrous her leadership may have been, her actions weren't exactly on par with Hitler's. Planning parties and breaking out the champagne the day she dies? Stay classy, North England!
Well now thats a loaded question, i take it going by your profile you are American or at least are living there, so You might not get why thats an awfully risky question to ask someone from N.I.Volf99 said:
Saying that i was not one for convention, and honesty didnt give a crap about it due to alot of things happening in my life, But to answer your question i am Baptised Protestant from my fathers side, while my mother was catholic and i suffered all though a fully Protestant high school, before finially saying fuck that shit and becoming a stauch Angnostic thesis with a strong desire to punch extremests of either end in the throat.
Oh, I'm well aware of what that can mean if you say your Protestant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_loyalism] or Catholic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Ireland]. I guess from what you typed, your both then, even though you were wrongly persecuted by Protestants. Fine with me that your Agnostic, as long as you don't support the Orange Order and their marches through Catholic neighborhoods.Ruairi iliffe said:
Oh no, both sides are as bad as im a Mongrel to most, and with the Wiki links, you kinda are missing the mark on the grounds that catholic = Republican or Prodestant = Ulsterman crap. its not black and white as that, as most these days dislike the south goverment as much as the English, to try and get back on topic thatcher and other MPs did fuck around abit with my homeland and we tend to hate them for what they did, but IF some fucked up fasion all the 'Prods' simply ended up in england one day, i can tell you a good chunk of 'Irishman' will tell the south to feck off and stay indpendent/stick to the UK. We dont Make anything really anymore and when we did it was for the english (crops,ships,Cloths) and only went to shit because of the crap thatcher stired up again.Volf99 said:
/end rant about homeland
Both sides might be "bad" but when getting past Prods versus Catholics, in regards to the English(and the UK by association) historical reaction to Ireland independence, I would ask you to look at a earlier conversation I had.....Ruairi iliffe said:
Volf99 said:
As for your comment,
I think there are certain groups of people (like these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_National_Liberation_Army] people, these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuity_Irish_Republican_Army] people, these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Irish_Republican_Army] people, these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinn_F%C3%A9in] people, and these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_and_Labour_Party] people) might disagree with that statement.
Ah yes the good old Para's, come knocking on your door asking if you wihs to Help your fellow man out, before long your a thug pushing Guns/petrol/drugs on your nearest council estate, many a time ive told them to Fuck right off. Now i know you are citing your sources with good old wiki there, but may i ask, have you lived or stayed in any of the northern counties in the last 5-10 years? Because i'd tell you know, NO one wants the past to come back, and attempting a 'Unitied ireland' when it hasnt been relivant in over 100 years and it it causes is violence and people living behind those lovey 'Peace walls' blocking off streets of people who lived no less than 5 meters away once. The old guard are dieing off and i can tell you most young men/women these days dont give a crap of the old times. To us a unitied ireland means stuck with the southern goverment, who have a hard time working out what economies are.Volf99 said:
I'd admit after the first 3 i started to assume the tone of your posting, sorry.Volf99 said:
And yes i am Very Very aware of those groups, living close to Armagh you see enough of their faces on signs everyday.
It does not change that the Para's you linked though are mostly made up of 'old guard' and recurited asbo thugs, and while Mr. Adams and his lot give a good word, it dosnt change its an old sentiment and one slowly turning into a southern land grab.
....This sounded like the type of movie I would love to see, a biographical account of a famous and history-changing person's life.
Then you tell me none of what would make it interesting and debate worthy makes it in there.
'sigh' And I was going to rent this for kicks.
Then you tell me none of what would make it interesting and debate worthy makes it in there.
'sigh' And I was going to rent this for kicks.
Hated in Ireland too, North and South. Her solution to the troubles just increased the divide between Catholics and Protestants.Gallium said: