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BY BOB HOLT
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
New Jersey born and raised actress Meryl Streep has a reputation of disapppearing into her roles as real-life women. Streep is back as another iconic woman in "The Iron Lady," the story of Margaret Thatcher, who rose to become the first woman to lead a major Western democracy.
Thatcher won three successive General Elections and served as British Prime Minister for more than eleven years, a record unmatched in the 20th century.
Such transformations are nothing new for Streep. Us magazine reports she became Julia Child in "Julie and Julia," an Anna Wintour-esque fashion editor in "The Devil Wears Prada," an accused Australian woman in "A Cry in the Dark" among others.
Firstshowing.net reports that filming began last month with Streep and Jim Broadbent (playing Denis Thatcher), but a release date has not been set for now.
Streep said of her latest role: "I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervor and attention to detail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses — I can only hope my stamina will begin to approach her own."
Although the prospect of Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher may have pleased some admirers of the Conservative former prime minister, her children have been horrified to discover more about the film.
The Telegraph reports that the screenplay of "The Iron Lady" depicts Baroness Thatcher as an elderly dementia-sufferer looking back on her career with sadness. She is shown talking to herself and unaware that her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher, has died.
"Sir Mark and Carol are appalled at what they have learned about the film," says a friend of the family. "They think it sounds like some left-wing fantasy. They feel strongly about it, but will not speak publicly for fear of giving it more publicity."
The film will focus mainly on the period immediately prior to the Falklands war. The Telegraph also says the film will unfold over a period of 17 days leading up to the battle, showing how Thatcher dealt with the pressure.
According to NJ.com, Streep was born in Summit, New Jersey in 1949, and spent her formative years in the Garden State along with two younger brothers, Harry III and Dana. She attended Harding Township Middle School and became Bernards High School's homecoming queen before leaving the state.
Streep has been nominated for 16 Oscars, more than any other actor or actress. She has won two, for "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Sophie's Choice."
