--- title: "The Iron Lady: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-iron-lady/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-iron-lady" critics_score: 53 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Iron Lady (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 53 from 20 reviews: 2 positive, 12 mixed, 6 negative. The consensus is mixed, with praise concentrated on Meryl Streep rather than the film around her. Most critics admire the precision of her voice and mannerisms, and many find emotional depth in her portrayal of Thatcher’s old age and vulnerability. Even several negative reviews consider her compelling. The personal drama tends to fare better than the political biography, though the tenderness that moves some critics leaves others questioning the film’s priorities. Reservations cluster around the evasive treatment of Thatcher’s politics, the rushed account of her career and the clumsy framing devices. The verdicts range from warm approval to outright rejection, despite broad agreement about Streep’s technical skill. Paste embraces the film as a moving love story while acknowledging its hurried political history. IndieWire offers a sharper dissent on the central performance, finding Streep’s meticulous imitation hollow, and regards the surrounding biography as clichéd and poorly structured. ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 4 July 2012. The critic calls the film compelling viewing but faults its treatment of Thatcher’s political legacy and dementia. Meryl Streep’s performance is singled out as brilliant and worth seeing the film for alone. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-iron-lady-review-7428176.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2011. Rooney finds the film thoughtful and emotionally engaging, though its political portrait is too soft-focus and deferential. He especially praises Streep’s meticulously detailed, moving performance as the aging Thatcher. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/iron-lady-film-review-265470/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 29 December 2011. Edelstein finds the film shallow but satisfying, with its politics carefully held at arm’s length. He especially praises Meryl Streep’s mimicry for conveying Thatcher’s inner life and the tenderness of her scenes with Denis. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/the-iron-lady-review-meryl-streep-david-edelstein.html) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams, chief film critic Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2011. The page identifies this as a review, but the review text is hidden behind a paywall. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-iron-lady/5034957.article) ## Slant Magazine — R. Kurt Osenlund Rating 2.5/4. 13 December 2011. The critic finds the film fascinating but uneven, with Meryl Streep’s performance making it unmissable despite clumsy filmmaking. Streep’s fierce, brilliantly overacted mimicry is singled out for praise, while the film’s cluttered biopic devices draw complaint. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-iron-lady/) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Rating 3/5. 8 February 2011. The review finds the film’s attempt to sidestep Thatcher’s politics weakens it, leaving a myth-enshrining portrait. It praises Meryl Streep’s remarkably convincing performance, while faulting the sidelining of Jim Broadbent and the underdeveloped relationship between their characters. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/iron-lady-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 30 December 2011. Sharkey finds the film affecting but not always satisfying, with its portrait of Thatcher’s later life overshadowing her political career. She praises Meryl Streep’s perceptive portrayal of Thatcher’s aging and emotional complexity. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-dec-30-la-et-iron-lady-20111230-story.html) ## Time Out — Trevor Johnston Rating 3/5. 3 January 2012. Johnston gives the film a measured three-out-of-five assessment. The available description singles out the challenge of casting an actress who can match Thatcher’s stature. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-iron-lady) ## Total Film — Kate Stables Rating 3/5. 22 November 2011. The review finds the biopic stylish and witty but breathless and uneven. It singles out Meryl Streep’s performance as an uncanny, brilliantly detailed recreation of Thatcher. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-iron-lady-review/) ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Rating C-. 29 December 2011. Robinson finds the film disappointing as history but intermittently effective as personal drama. She praises Meryl Streep’s dignified performance and says the fictionalized present-day scenes carry the strongest emotion. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-iron-lady-1798170975) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 29 December 2011. The review is mixed, finding the film less compelling than its subject. It singles out Meryl Streep’s performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/movies/the-iron-lady-about-margaret-thatcher-review.html) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 2/5. The two-star verdict suggests the film falls short of its potential. Collins praises Meryl Streep’s performance and Jim Broadbent’s support, while noting the story might have made a fascinating chamber piece. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-p64ho3/the-iron-lady/) ## IndieWire — James Rocchi Rating D. 26 December 2011. Rocchi pans the film as a tone-deaf, shabby biopic that reduces Thatcher’s life to clichés and clumsy devices. He singles out Streep’s meticulous imitation as impressive but hollow, while criticizing the framing device and rushed structure. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-the-iron-lady-is-a-shabby-tin-eared-standard-issue-biopic-254769/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2012. Bradshaw finds the film too benign and depoliticised, despite its flashes of political bite. He praises Meryl Streep’s technically brilliant, compelling portrayal, especially her depiction of Thatcher’s old age. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jan/05/the-iron-lady-film-review) ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2011. Felperin finds the biopic politically evasive and clunky, despite Streep’s compelling performance. She particularly praises Streep’s precise, evolving vocal portrayal of Thatcher. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/markets-festivals/the-iron-lady-1117946640/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the biopic brutally misconceived despite Streep’s strong performance. They praise Streep’s eloquent, witty portrayal of Thatcher’s loss of power and fear of madness. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/the-iron-lady) ## Paste — Annlee Ellingson Rating 8.2/10. 22 December 2011. Ellingson praises the film as a moving portrait of an aging Margaret Thatcher, calling it ultimately a love story. She singles out Meryl Streep’s memorable performance, while criticizing the rushed treatment of Thatcher’s political career. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-iron-lady) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 December 2011. The review finds the film limited compared with its Shakespearean analogy, but ultimately effective in conveying aging and vulnerability. It especially praises Meryl Streep’s layered, humorous performance and her ability to make Thatcher feel human rather than caricatured. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/review-iron-lady-33969/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Rating 3/5. 3 January 2012. Mellor finds the film an oddly toned, overly friendly and largely uncritical account of Thatcher’s years. She praises Meryl Streep’s uncanny, bravura impersonation, though its novelty soon fades. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-iron-lady-review-2/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 6 January 2012. Wilkinson finds the film a shallow, pedestrian account of Thatcher’s life despite its strong performances. She particularly criticizes its rushed treatment of major political events and its refusal to examine the politics. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-iron-lady-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-iron-lady.md