The Iron Lady

Streep plays Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979-1990, in this biographical drama directed by Phyllida Lloyd. An elderly Thatcher, struggling with dementia, narrates her life story by sharing memories with the imagined presence of her deceased husband. Her life unfolds from girlhood to her years in the political arena. Co-starring Jim Broadbent.

I needed much more breath than I have, after all of my expensive drama school training. I couldn’t keep up with her. … She gave one speech when she was 65 that I couldn’t have done when I was 30 years old, fresh out of drama school. Just the breath. As an actor, you’re looking at it and going, “Just the breath.” It’s fantastic.