The Iron Lady

Set in the years after her exit from the public stage, Meryl Streep stars as Margaret Thatcher - the former Prime Minister of Great Britain who now finds herself shuffling around the house suffering from the beginnings of mental decline. As she conducts imaginary discussions with her deceased husband, Denis (Jim Broadbent), Thatcher flashes back and forth between the great memories of her life and modern day.

If it wasn't for Streep, The Iron Lady wouldn't be nearly compelling and comprehensive enough.

Director Phyllida Lloyd and writer Abi Morgan give us a movie more about feelings than storytelling. Sure, we get to learn about Thatcher's rise to power in a male dominated society, and the moments of her life that defined her as a hero or villain (depending on your political persuasion), but we see them in an impressionist-type fashion. We get glimpses into the story, rather than the meat and potatoes.

However, Streep is amazing enough to overcome the slightly better than average movie to prove she might win her first Oscar since 1983 (her 16 nominations are more than any actor before her). No matter how light the details might be, Streep is able to make Thatcher a fascinating, compelling figure in every sense.

We feel some sympathy as she struggles with the loss of her husband and difficulty moving on.

We jump back as Thatcher asserts leadership and guile in the toughest of situations, and want to stand and cheer when the woman digs in and begins the fight.

It's a mix of fragility and strength that makes the iconic figure feel human and real.

Plus, let's not forget Alexandra Roach as Young Margaret, who has to mix zeal, smarts and some inexperience to make us believe this young lady is ready and able to do what some would think impossible. While Streep's performance and interpretation of Thatcher is the one we will remember, and the one getting all of the buzz, Roach proves to be an excellent young actress who I want to see more and more in the future.

The Iron Lady might be forgotten as a movie, but you won't be able to forget Streep's performance, especially on Oscar night.

The Iron Lady rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity