I had no interest in this movie. The subject matter seemed dull. A biopic about a British woman I barely recalled, but still knew little about? Sure, I'd likely see the movie later, on cable or Redbox. I'm so grateful that the start times at Jordon Commons forced my wife and I to grudgingly select this as our Saturday choice for date night.
This film is extraordinary. And I don't just mean Streep's usual brilliant chameleon-esque performance. The film itself is a celebration of principles that are so timely that my jaw dangled much of those two hours. Why? Well, because Hollywood doesn't celebrate these principles. They eschew them. They satarize them. But this film, for once, elevates them.
The plot starts out a bit slow, and we seem to yearn for scenes of young Margaret and Prime Minister Margaret and not elderly Margaret and her bouts with dementia. But as the whole thing comes together it's ALL the scenes that make this film so great. I'm as guilty as the shopkeeper at the start of the movie who sells her a pint of milk and fails to recognize who she even is. Though she is still alive, she seems quite forgotten, and unfortunately what has also dimmed may be the extraordinary legacy she left for the British Empire.
Don't wait for this one On Demand or DVD. You don't want the children's interruptions, idle conversation or microwave snacks to distract you. Immerse yourself and enjoy. See it on the big screen! The exact same issues that faced Mrs. Thatcher face us today, and the painful choices she made stare our nation smack in the face. If a Republican wins the Presidency this year (and I pray one does) it's likely that their first term will be reviled by many because of unavoidable cuts that must take place to cure our spending habits. But by this President's second term (assuming there is one) most will celebrate this leadership exactly the way Britian celebrated Mrs. Thatcher.
She was right. The pain paid off. And prosperity was the result. Her formula must become OUR formula.
I refuse to spoil anymore elements of this film. See it. Love it. Live it.
Chris Heimerdinger
Copyright @ 2012
Thanks for the good review. I'll make sure to put it on my to-see list!
ReplyDeletehey Chris, YOU ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AUTHOR!!!!! i just finished the very first draft of my very first book. any tips on getting published? i'm kind of nervous for people outside my family to read my book, but i really want to get it published. did you have problems with that??
ReplyDeleteI'm actually really excited to see this movie, jsut haven't gotten around to it yet... and i'm also anxiously awaiting your post of the prologue and/or chapter one of Thorns of Glory!
ReplyDeleteChris, I haven't seen the movie yet but I lived in England from 1981-1987 and got to experience her term in office first-hand. I used to watch the tv channel that broadcast parliament just to see her argue. I never saw her lose an argument. She really whipped the head of the coal miner's union, Arthur Scargill too, breaking the strikes. She was an amazing leader and a good friend to our president, Ronald Reagan. We need another duo like that today.
ReplyDeleteJust watched it two days ago. I love feeling like I learned something. I agree---I'm astounded that this move got through Hollywood, especially at a time like this. With the economy in shambles, a move that celebrates spending cuts and union busting seems too good to be true. As a Ron Paul fan, I was blown away that this came out with this timing.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of that Ewan McGregor / Scarlett Johansson movie 'The Island.' It had so many anti-abortion parallels, I was genuinely shocked that it made it through Hollywood onto the big screen.