Iris (2001) | Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent | "Wither shall I go from thy spirit?"

Iris (2001) | Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent | IRIS

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Iris (2001)

	Iris (2001) Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent Miramax, 2003 average customer review:based on 71 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Here's the powerful true story based on John Bayley's novels that earned Jim Broadbent an Academy Award(R) for Best Supporting Actor and Academy Award(R) nominations for Best Actress Judi Dench and Best Supporting Actress Kate Winslet (IRIS, 2001). Judi Dench (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) and Kate Winslet (TITANIC) bring to the screen one of the most extraordinary women of the 20th century, celebrated English author Iris Murdoch. As told by her unlikely soulmate, husband John Bayley, Iris first became known as a brilliant young scholar at Oxford whose boundless spirit dazzled those around her. Then, during her remarkable career as a novelist and philosopher, she continued to prove herself a woman ahead of her time. Even in later life, as age and illness robbed Iris of her remarkable gifts, nothing could diminish her immense influence or weaken the bond with her devoted husband.

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"Wither shall I go from thy spirit?"

Prolific English novelist Iris Murdoch (The Sea, The Sea, Under the Net) was a lover of words and the power of language. She was quite the avant-garde free-thinker as a young professor and the shy, stuttering John Bayley seemed an unlikely match for her, but fall in love they did and they shared a long and loving marriage. The movie focuses on Iris' battle with Alzheimer's disease, which gradually robbed her of the ability to use her beloved words. John cared for her and loved her until the end.

This is simply the best movie I've seen in a long time; the acting is superb as is the script. Judi Dench gives a stunning performance as Iris. It is heartbreaking to watch her steady decline, knowing how it must end. She was nominated for, but did not receive an Oscar, however, Jim Broadbent won one for his role as her steadfast husband. He, too, is perfect, tenderly caring for his beloved even when she doesn't know him. When the movie flashes from Iris' present decline to John's memories of their meeting and courtship, the younger Iris is well-played by Kate Winslet. She captures the love of life and philosophy that Iris had. The James Horner soundtrack is the perfect companion to the deeply personal and yet universally-understood story of unselfish love.

Highly recommended. (Bring your tissues.)

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IRIS

GREAT MOVIE! very sad and moving for anyone who has experience the tragedy of Alzheimer disease in your family.
I had this movie on VHS and it made it;s rounds between friends and places that dealt with Alzheimer's - and the tape was destroyed - having the disk is a must - and of course i am a Judi Dench fan - anything she does is excellent and a must have in your collection.
Beautifully done - Kate Winslet was excellent in portraying the young Iris Murdoch - of which the story is about - a British Philosopher and writer. Some of the narratives are amazingly beautiful.

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Deeply moving

Having just finished watching "Iris" on DVD, I'm still of two minds about having watched it. The performance by Dame Judi Dench is breathtakingly brilliant as the famous novelist and philosopher, Dame Iris Murdoch. The story encompasses her youth as a student at Oxford, her many love affairs and her terrible descent into dementia. As I saw Judi Dench gradually change from a brilliant woman into a screaming, flailing madwoman, her portrayal was enough to reduce me to tears as it was so accurately done and even the flatness of her eyes and lack of expression were perfect. Anyone who has been part of the life of a sufferer from Alzheimer's should be aware that this DVD will stir up bad memories at the physical and mental depiction of the sufferer and will recall all of the horrors. That I could be reduced to tears is due to the utter brilliance of Judi Dench as an actress, but I'm still not sure that I should have watched it!

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Iris

A beautifully written and acted movie about the devastation of Alzheimers. Judi Dench as the older Iris is fantastic and Kate Winslet as the young Iris is very good. This was my first introduction the the actor Jim Broadbent and I found him to be marvelous...so glad to know that he won an Academy Award for this role. Not a movie to pick up your spirits but a treasure just the same.

I like it, but...

There's no doubt that the acting is tremendous in this movie, from both Dame Judy and James Broadbent. The movie is a special achievement in this regard, and Judy Dench deserved an Oscar for her performance. However, the movie is a very incomplete picture of the life of Iris Murdoch, which in fact would be difficult to capture in a 2 hour film. It is a very small, very limited view of the woman who has contributed so much to literature, philosophy and the arts. It is unfortunate that many will only know Iris Murdoch through this movie, and may never experience the insight, wisdom and wit of this truly remarkable artist.

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