The most awaited movie, "The Iron Lady" is named as the best British movie of the month. It is indeed a great movie with Meryl Streep playing the key role of Baroness Margaret Thatcher. A gargantuan credit to Meryl who is aptly nominated for the Oscars' best actress award. I am immensely elevated at her fabulous and magnificent cast of the Lady Maggie. The script writers have done an incredibly tremendous job in portraying Margaret as an important person in the British political history. This movie will certainly cast a tremendous light into an era marked by male chauvinistic ideologies and way of life. The "Thatcherian" (as I would call) era was on roller coaster right bring the beginning of her career as a young charming lady. Her rise and fall builds the British political history on even stronger note. She rises as a saviour of the people of the time bringing some ruthless reforms in the economic health of the country. As we all very well know, how her modern dictatorship axes the poor and the rich in an egalitarian way through her robust tax reforms, for which she is criticised even to the date. She makes an enormous contribution to the conservative party which was almost in the dungeon by losing the election consecutively. Therefore she becomes an icon in an era marked by political turmoil and political imbroglio. Of course not forget some her worse decisions as Prime Minister of Britain, particularly war to acquire Falkland Islands. This was the only important achievement she has in her cap but most people would say it is evil. The famous words, "this is war which they have begun and we will finish it..." rippled across the world as a fierce and arrogant lady.
Apart from the political life of this great leader of the conservatives that is depicted in the movie, there are other several intricate but illuminating factors that exhibit Baroness Thatcher as humane, loving, ambitious, motherly, caring person in the world. When her father Mr Roberts', a grocer becomes an important figure in his constituency, she learns the trick of the trade from her father. Despite many jeer and mockery from her friends she grows up to be a different than the rest. She prefers not to imitate others in her way of life. When she was selected to go to Oxford she becomes extremely happy for her father was just a grocer. In her early days in the politics, she was mocked by the party members which was dominated by the men. Women most remained in the kitchen with a taboo that women should confine to the four walls. This makes Margaret extremely nerve wrecking and then on she sets out to challenge her own party members. It is at this time she meet her would be husband Dennis. She then on persevered in politics so much she becomes the PM of Britain two times in row. This shows her tremendous ambition to achieve something different. Her famous response to Dennis when he proposes her to marry her, that should thrill and enkindle women today are, "I love you so much, but I cannot remain in my husbands laps and only be romantic to take care of her children, and more importantly I don't want to remain home and wash dishes, and tea cups." I am sure this will fire women who are looking for identity in our world.
Family becomes an enormous support for Margaret Thatcher. When her own party members try to knife her from the back, her ever loving husband back her up and brings charm in her life. In return Margaret loved her husband every inch. She loved children Mark and Carol so much she even at the old age she imagines that her son calls her and talks to her. Her husband was the only inspiration for her in her political career. Actually, when she loses her first party election quite badly her then lover Dennis hugs and gives a assurance which lays foundation to her political career. Sadly her husband died recently and she still cannot come to terms with that fact. I was moved when her daughter says to her when she asks for her husband, "your husband is dead, and you are no more Prime Minister." This shows her family affinity and commitment. I am sure every family in this world should take their example and live for each other despite being different. It was not easy for Dennis to live with a dominant woman Thatcher but he loved to the end.
Margaret Thatcher was a caring person to a large extent. Despite her bad decision to war against Argentina in regards to Falkland Islands in which thousands of young soldiers lay their lives in the battle, she feels sorry for the lives lost, and sheds tears in her office thence she writes letters to every family of the soldiers killed in the war. She expresses her deepest sorrow with a hand written letter. I felt this gesture was very moving, for herself and for the families of the dead soldiers. This shows how caring she was. There are other instances too where she shows her motherly love not only to her children but to the public. At one point addressing the people she says, 'I will surely try to live up to your trust and confidence.'
Lastly, to conclude in her own words, "With all due respect, sir, I have done battle every single day of my life and many men have underestimated me before. This lot seem bound to do the same, but they will rue the day." I am sure life of Margaret Thatcher will inspire many women and men to sail through the rough currents of life and come out with flying colours. Every battle we fight in our lives is a stepping stone to a great success which is far or near.
Another important quote from her that moved me is, "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become...habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become. My father always said that, and I think I am fine." Indeed what we think we become. This quote is favourite of mine at all times. Let us rise, its time to put great into not only Great Britain but put Great into Great world.
