Yes, yes I know. . . why the hell did it take me so long to see this movie. Well, 1. It never was on my “go to a movie theater” radar. 2. I just found it on Netflix instant watch.
I’ve never learned of the story of the girl who grew to become the woman at 10 Downing Street until now. . . and I needed tissues at 23 minutes in.
From 2005 until her death in 2013 they paraded her around at House of Lords dinners, dedications and the likes.
Not pointing any fingers, but from what I see from the movie, I bet her handlers would have put her on a stick and put a pen in her hand if they could sell a few more books.
I was shocked to read that her daughter first noticed signs of dementia in 2005, yet Margaret Thatcher continued on with public appearances and video taped condolences.
If you haven’t seen this movie or have no clue who Margaret Thatcher is stop reading now.
**SPOILERS** avert your eyes
Why did I need those tissues you ask?
Well, not for any other reason than what I imagine it must have been like for Ms. Thatcher to live with the loss of the love of her life and the sheer heartbreak that happened in the moment when her daughter realized that she had just lost her mother to dementia.
I’m sure I’ll write more about this later, but for now, no.
I’ll move on to say that there is a beautiful story in the wool and pearls of her youth.
This exchange is a favorite of mine . . .
Young Margaret to Dennis : “I love you SO much, but, I will never be one of those women, Dennis, who stay silent and pretty on the arm of her husband. Or remote and alone in the kitchen doing the washing for that matter. One’s life must matter Dennis. Beyond all the cooking and cleaning and the children, one’s life must mean more than that. I cannot die washing up a tea cup. I mean it. Dennis, say you understand.”
Young Dennis to Margaret : “It’s why I want to marry you my dear”
I am in love with the fashion of the flashbacks. But then, I am always a sucker for WWII era anything.
Her burst into the testosterone fueled political ring as Education Minister echoed . . . confidence.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with her politics – as a woman, you must admire her tenacity in wanting the make a difference and the fact that the pearls were non negotiable.
“One must be brave if one wants to take the wheel.” – Margaret Thatcher
If you take anything from this movie. Make it that quote. Oh, and maybe the fact that there has yet to be a female president of the United States. Can we please get on this America? Me thinks it’s time for a change. The boys have had their go at it long enough and they’ve made quite a mess of things.
“All I wanted was to make a difference in the world.” – Margaret Thatcher
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Did Meryl Streep get and award for this role? The answer to that is YES.
“At the 2012 Academy Awards, this movie was nominated for two Oscars, Best Actress” – IMDB Trivia
**WATCHER WARNING**
If you plan on watching this on Netflix, please be aware that you will need your remote handy as the sound on this movie is wonky. Scare the shit out of you, wake your neighbors up 2 blocks away kinda, LOUD as hell, wonky.
I will admit that I had my volume turned up louder than normal to hear the hushed conversations Margaret had with Dennis . . . so you can imagine my surprise when the windows of my house nearly blew out at the moment when she remembered she had been elected Prime Minister of Great Britain.
