New Delhi:
Ms Streep has my money for Best Actress at the OscarsShe is a regular at scooping top honours but I am no Meryl Streep groupie. But I have come pretty darn close to being one. I watched The Iron Lady, you see. What an extraordinary portrayal.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, The Iron Lady is an ambitious depiction of Britain's most controversial Prime Minister and the only woman to hold the post. She's also been the longest serving.
During those 85 minutes of the movie run time, there's a skillful mix of news footage with realistic recreations. And, get this - Meryl Streep's performance is the real test - there is no actor here. There is only Margaret Thatcher.
I got this eerie feeling several times while watching the film, to come back with a start and remind myself that it wasn't Margaret Thatcher I was watching on the 9 o'clock news. Alexandra Roach plays the young Margaret while Ms Streep takes over Thatcher in retirement. She's living through her memories, including conversations with her dead husband. "Tell me Denis. Were you happy Denis? Tell me the truth." They married in 1951 and he died in 2003.
What memories would we want of Margaret Thatcher? The Iron Lady who changed the course of British history? Or the one who did all of that and now suffers from dementia but exhibits flashes of brilliance? The choice is yours, but if you are like me, you'll come back feeling her pain.
And draw inspiration from her voice telling you,"Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become."
Ms Streep get ready to wrap your hands around that Oscar on Sunday.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, The Iron Lady is an ambitious depiction of Britain's most controversial Prime Minister and the only woman to hold the post. She's also been the longest serving.
During those 85 minutes of the movie run time, there's a skillful mix of news footage with realistic recreations. And, get this - Meryl Streep's performance is the real test - there is no actor here. There is only Margaret Thatcher.
I got this eerie feeling several times while watching the film, to come back with a start and remind myself that it wasn't Margaret Thatcher I was watching on the 9 o'clock news. Alexandra Roach plays the young Margaret while Ms Streep takes over Thatcher in retirement. She's living through her memories, including conversations with her dead husband. "Tell me Denis. Were you happy Denis? Tell me the truth." They married in 1951 and he died in 2003.
What memories would we want of Margaret Thatcher? The Iron Lady who changed the course of British history? Or the one who did all of that and now suffers from dementia but exhibits flashes of brilliance? The choice is yours, but if you are like me, you'll come back feeling her pain.
And draw inspiration from her voice telling you,"Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become."
Ms Streep get ready to wrap your hands around that Oscar on Sunday.
