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Movie Review: “The Iron Lady” (+)
January  2012

         This film is about Margaret Thatcher, a brilliant and extraordinary woman. She was the daughter of a grocer who overcame huge obstacles and rose to become Prime Minister of England.

         The script writer, Abi Morgan, begins the story with Thatcher’s retirement and dementia. Regrettably, her dementia covers a third or more of the movie, reducing her brilliant moments and successes (shown in flashbacks) to a much smaller depiction that she deserves. A friend of mine with whom I served in government for more than 40 years, John LoCicero, also saw the film. When discussing the picture he said, “They would not have spent so much time on the dementia if the picture was about Ronald Reagan.” He is absolutely right.  Nevertheless, watching Thatcher rise in British conservative politics and win the position of prime minister on three occasions is a joy to behold.

         Thatcher is portrayed by Meryl Streep, who does a brilliant job, as she always does. Thatcher’s husband, Denis, is portrayed as a young man by Harry Lloyd, who is a joy to behold. During Thatcher’s retirement, Denis is played superbly as a ghost by Jim Broadbent. (Denis died in 2003.)  

         Streep captures Thatcher’s voice, bearing, imperious look and disdain for the incompetence of people in her government. Her fellow conservatives turned against her and forced her out of office. At one point in the film, I got the impression that she was failing in intellect and had lost touch with reality. It was clear that a change in personality was setting in by the way she crudely and insultingly treated one of her government ministers. (Half of the people at the age of 80 will be victims of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.)

         I met Margaret Thatcher in 1979 when I was mayor. She came to New York City shortly after her first election to speak at a Foreign Policy Association luncheon which I believe was held at the Hilton Hotel. She sat between me and Governor Hugh Carey before she took to the stage to speak and answer questions, which she did flawlessly and without notes. During the luncheon I said to her, “I know they call you the Iron Lady. Does that mean what I think it does?”  She replied, “It certainly does, young man.” 

         It is very sad that Margaret Thatcher, who resides in England, has been touched by dementia. But she is still the talk of the town, hers and mine. God bless her.