Before I saw the new film, The Iron Lady, I was expecting to see the dramatic advancement of Margaret Thatcher, a grocery-owner’s daughter, into one of the most influential women of her time as she became the Prime Minister of Great Britain. In actuality, the film tells an extremely different story.

The film begins by displaying a weak and disregarded Thatcher in her old age being treated as if she was unwell by everyone, including her own daughter. Throughout the film Thatcher fights an internal battle with her late husband and reflects upon the consequences of various parts of her life.

I was very disappointed that the film chose to focus solely on Thatcher’s old age and the negative aspects of her life and character. The movie often emphasizes her failures and personality faults rather than the dedication and courage it took to achieve many of the things she did. I felt that The Iron Lady would have been a much more engaging and intriguing film had it instead revealed Thatcher’s incredible rise into the most powerful position in Britain, an unprecedented phenomenon for any woman, especially one of her background.

I also found the storyline to be quite insupportable, and there didn’t seem to be a solid plot within the film. The film moved at a snail’s pace and lacked any clear direction. Throughout the entire film I waited with little gratification for a flashback to a fascinating part of life, or to one that featured her triumphing over the great deal of adversity she faced. All of her flashbacks seemed to be of her at her worst moments or about her husband, and the memories were few and far between.

The movie’s only redemption is found in the actors’ stellar performances. Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Thatcher was amazing, and her transformation for the majority of the film into an old woman was flawless and engrossing. Jim Broadbent also had an amusing and entertaining role playing Denis Thatcher, Margaret’s goofy and spirited husband. The

Iron Lady was not an inspirational or motivational film as I had hoped, and at times was rather depressing. Overall, the best thing about it was Streep’s brilliant depiction of Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady.

Aran Kirschenmann, 15, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a sophomore at The International School in Bellevue. You may reach and connect with her on her Facebook page “The Young Critic.”