The Iron Lady

My viewing experience of The Iron Lady is going to be pretty different to most peoples. I was privileged to be invited by 20th Century Fox to go to the European premiere of the film at BFI Southbank, so watched (and later partied) alongside members of the cast and crew, sharing Vitamin Water and champagne and trying to pluck up the courage to go and congratulate Anthony Head on his performance. But despite all that, the film is what really counts here.

First of all, it's worth dealing with the elephant in the room. I don't know Margaret Thatcher. I have no feelings on her leadership (or her as a person) either way, and indeed many of the events depicted in the film are relatively alien to me; I was 5 when she left office, so anything I do know comes solely as a result of listening to the Billy Elliot soundtrack once too often. Like her time in power, the subject matter of the film has somewhat divided the nation; some see the portrayal of a frail, modern-day Thatcher suffering from dementia as disturbing or even offensive. Personally, I like to see it as a cinematic device that is placed solely to allow a seamless segue through the story in the form of flashbacks - I don't believe that offence was meant towards the still living Thatcher; after all, this is just a cinematic interpretation of true events.

What's especially nice to see is that throughout, attention has been paid to every detail. Indeed, the parliamentary benches run like a game of who's who of British cinema, with well (and less well-) known British faces visible at every turn (John Sessions, Roger Allam, Nicholas Farrell to name but a few - even if you're not familiar with the names, look up the faces). Even the smaller, and non-speaking roles have truly recognisable faces, who don't look out of place in Thatcher's parliament.

Streep, ever professional, soldiers on, unaware of the "Kick Me" sign John Sessions has stuck to her back

For me, the British connection is singularly good to see, particularly given that the lead role, and therefore arguably one of the most internationally famous British women to have lived in the last 50 years, was played by an American. That said, I won't be the first person to tip their hat to Streep. Despite my initial concerns, her portrayal of Thatcher is exquisite (thanks in a small part I suppose to the haunting likeness the team were able to achieve with wigs and make up), and is very much deserving of all the award-hype she is now the subject of.

The Iron Lady readies herself for an almighty game of 'pull my finger'

As a whole, the story seems pretty well constructed. Coming to the film with little prior knowledge of Thatcher or her rule, I was impressed that a healthy balance had been found, without assuming any familiarity with proceedings on the part of the viewer. Looking back however, I can well see how those who were a little more politically aware during the 1980's than myself would be able to relate far better to some of the events depicted in the film. Although the plot could very occasionally drag (and just may have been tightened up by the loss of ten of the less meaningful minutes) the film as a whole feels like a respectful (albeit slightly fictionalised) account of one of the most influential British women of all time.