THE IRON LADY *

Let's get it straight from the outset, "The Iron Lady" isn't much of a movie. As directed by Phyllida LLoyd it's a kind of 'Maggie's Greatest Hits' (and misses) done in a style that could best be described as a comic-strip. Lloyd's last outing was "Mamma Mia" and wags have suggested that 'Margaret - The Musical' can't be far behind. On the other hand, it might just be worth crossing an ocean to see Meryl Streep's extraordinary performance as Mrs T. Of course, we knew she would get the voice and the mannerisms right but this is no mere impersonation but a deeply intuitive portrayal of a woman at every level of her life down to the finality of Alzheimers. Beginning with Mrs Thatcher as an old woman, (the make-up alone is Oscar worthy), it's a remarkable insight into illness, loss and memory that transcends the one-dimensional script. Perhaps Streep's greatest achievement is in making Mrs Thatcher sympathetic although the attempt to turn her into a tragic heroine out of opera is just plain silly. If she fails to win that elusive third Oscar for this then there really is no justice.