Why do we fear this will be a hit job? Because it’s a movie about a conservative icon and when it comes to conservative icons they’re either ignored by filmmakers or trashed by filmmakers.
Do I sound cynical? Yes. But so does the film’s synopsis (click on the names of those involved for more information).
Meryl Streep is in talks to reteam with her “Mamma Mia!” director for “Thatcher,” a biopic of the former British prime minister.’
Jim Broadbent would play Margaret Thatcher’s husband, Denis, for the British production.
The film, to be directed by Phyllida Lloyd, is set in 1982 and tracks Thatcher as she tries to save her career in the 17 days preceding the 1982 Falklands War. The 2 1/2-month war was a turning point for the prime minister, who, after the victory, saw her approval ratings double and went on to win a second term.
Producer Damien Jones (“Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”) came up with the story with screenwriter Brian Fillis.
Hrm. Thatcher tries to save her re-election chances in the days just prior to a … war.
Thatcher is as hated by the British Left as George W. Bush is by the American Left. Maybe even more so. And it’s Thatcher’s second term the Left most resents. That’s when she privatized and sold to private companies a number of large state-run utilities and successfully went after and weakened the once all-powerful British trade unions.
And then there’s her close friendship with President and Mrs. Reagan.
Would it surprise anyone if in an effort to undermine the legacy of our Iron Lady a film was produced to plant a seed of doubt over the legitimacy of the second term that still infuriates Thatcher’s critics? Or… maybe I’m being unfair, maybe the filmmakers will be truthful and respectful. Because that’s never-ever happened before, which can only mean it will sometime, right?
Keep in mind, though, that Meryl Streep’s track record when it comes to portraying conservative women is gawdawful and resulted in two of her worst performances. She was embarrassingly one-dimensional and hammy in both “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Rendition.”
It’s just a fact that Hollywoodists can find humanity in most anyone — terrorists, child molesters, drug dealers, serial killers — but when it comes to we conservatives and those we love they just can’t summon any dimension warmer than ice… Because that’s how they see us.
Conservatives have no reason whatsoever to be optimistic about this project.