Iris (2001)

Iris: Directed by Richard Eyre. With Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent. True story of the lifelong romance between novelist Iris Murdoch and her husband John Bayley, from their student days through her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

“This film succeeds where the overrated u0026quot;A Beautiful Mindu0026quot; fell short. It puts its subjectu0026#39;s life into perspective and gives a sense of her worldview and, needs, and desires–as opposed to just focusing on the illness. I think it is also more effective in its use of different actors to portray the main characters at different ages, rather than using distracting age makeup, like in ABM. I came away from this with a profound admiration for Iris Murdock, whereas I felt like I hardly got to know John Nash at all.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut enough with the comparisons. This film stands well on its own as a tribute to the companionship shared by Iris and her husband John Bayley throughout their long, complex, relationship. Broadbent deserved that Academy Award, although I would say he plays more of a lead character than supporting. Seeing Iris through Bayleyu0026#39;s loving eyes is what makes the film an enriching experience. He is the one who must adapt to her unconventional lifestyle, and their journey together is a rewarding one.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOne person who commented stated that this was u0026quot;another disease movie.u0026quot; Funny how you never hear a complaints about u0026quot;another gangster movieu0026quot; or u0026quot;another romantic comedyu0026quot; or u0026quot;another suspense thriller.u0026quot; SO WHAT? First of all, it is not a disease movie, it is at its heart a romance, and a u0026quot;meaning of lifeu0026quot; film, much moreso than a film about Alzheimeru0026#39;s disease. Secondly, the disease is the device used to illustrate their level of understanding and commitment to each other. And finally, I cannot imagine telling Murdocku0026#39;s story WITHOUT giving the disease its proper weight in the course of the film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe scenes when the characters are younger are blended seamlessly with the latter day scenes. Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville (uncannily resembling a young Broadbent) are very true to their older counterpartsu0026#39; personalities, and add yet another dimension to film. All in all, this is a production of which director Richard Eyre and cast (and Bayley, who wrote the book on which the film is based) should be extremely proud. It should have been seen by more people in 2001. Grade: A”