Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- reflective
- melancholic
- wistful
- historical drama night
- political cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found Meryl Streep's performance remarkable, but considered the film's retrospective storytelling bland, self-important, and uncertain in its treatment of Thatcher's legacy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Margaret Thatcher's rise through British politics is interwoven with her marriage to Denis, motherhood, and later dependence on family and staff.
Elderly Margaret's recollections of parliament, party leadership, and premiership coexist with confusion and apparitions of Denis.
The film follows Thatcher from entering parliament to becoming Britain's first woman prime minister.
The elderly Thatcher's isolation and diminishing independence are set against memories of her forceful public authority.
Films like The Iron Lady, and why
Elizabeth
female political leadership, biographical drama, and an acclaimed central performance
The Queen
retrospective political biography shaped around private life and public power
The King's Speech
historical leadership drama emphasizing a commanding lead performance over broad political analysis
Movie Details
- Director
- Phyllida Lloyd
- Release Date
- 2011-12-26
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1929)
Cast
- Meryl Streep
- Jim Broadbent
- Olivia Colman
- Roger Allam
- Susan Brown
- Nick Dunning
- Nicholas Farrell
- Iain Glen
- Richard E. Grant
- Anthony Stewart Head
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Britbox Apple TV channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Iron Lady about?
- A reflective portrait of Margaret Thatcher that contrasts her ascent to Britain’s highest office with the loneliness and memory loss of old age.
- What is The Iron Lady like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Iron Lady as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Iron Lady violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Iron Lady as mild.
- What did critics think of The Iron Lady?
- Critics broadly found Meryl Streep's performance remarkable, but considered the film's retrospective storytelling bland, self-important, and uncertain in its treatment of Thatcher's legacy.
- Which films are like The Iron Lady?
- Films with a similar feel include Elizabeth, The Queen, and The King's Speech.
- How long is The Iron Lady?
- The Iron Lady runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Iron Lady?
- In United States, The Iron Lady streams on Britbox Apple TV channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
