The Iron Lady - teaser trailer

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in upcoming The Iron Lady

Release date: December 16, 2011

Out of Africa (1985)

In 20th century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate but ultimately doomed love affair with a free-sprited big-game hunter.

Based on a true story.

Plot outline: (from Fandango)
Out of Africa is drawn from the life and writings of Danish author Isak Dinesen, who during the time that the film's events occured was known by her married name, Karen Blixen-Flecke. For convenience's sake, Karen (Meryl Streep) has married Baron Bor Blixen-Flecke (Klaus Maria Brandauer). In 1914, the Baron moves himself and his wife to a plantation in Nairobi, then leaves Karen to her own devices as he returns to his womanizing and drinking. Soon, Karen has fallen in love with charming white hunter Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), who prefers a no-strings relationship. A woman who prides herself on her independence, Blixen finds herself unhappily in thrall to a aloof man -- and doubly unhappy for living out such a cliché situation. Although Redford received a lion's share of criticism for his too-American performance, Streep has rarely been better, and the film's perfectly measured pace is offset by David Watkin's stunning location photography. The movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 7, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sydney Pollack, Best Adapted Screenplay for Kurt Luedtke, and Best Cinematography for Watkin. ~ written by Hal Erickson
Trailer

The Iron Lady (2011)

Meryl Streep, "actress extraordinaire", is currently in Britain filming The Iron Lady where she will be portraying British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the lead up to the Falklands War in 1982. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia) although this is an entirely different type of film from the Abba-inspired musical.

(Streep shown as Margaret Thatcher)

Update: Word has it that Thatcher's children are not happy with the plot which portrays the former Prime Minister in stages of dementia, looking back on aspects of her career with sadness.

Cameron McCracken, managing director Pathé Films, confirms: "It is true that the film is set in the recent past and that Baroness Thatcher does look back on both the triumphs and the lows of her extraordinary career. It is a film about power and the price that is paid for power. In that sense, it is the story of every person who has ever had to balance their private life with their public career."[Telegraph]

Familiar faces in cast include:
Jim Broadbent who plays her husband Denis
Anthony Head - Richard Howe
Richard E. Grant - Michael Heseltine

Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd
(younger Margaret and Denis Thatcher)

Broadbent and Streep (as Denis and Margaret Thatcher)


Have you seen her video interview for BAFTA? Charming & funny lady!
Watch: Meryl Streep - A Life in Pictures

Photo (of Meryl as Thatcher): Alex Bailey/Pathe Productions Ltd