Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
Iris
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Excellent British biopic has nudity, sex, language, illness.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Iris
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
IRIS is a biopic of Irish and British author and philosopher Iris Murdoch. Charting her younger years, when Iris (then played by Kate Winslet) first meets her partner, John Bayley (Hugh Bonneville), the movie then covers her later years (played by Judi Dench), when Murdoch develops Alzheimer's disease, and the impact it has on her relationship with Bayley (Jim Broadbent).
Is It Any Good?
With its starry cast at its center, it's easy to see why this 2001 patient character study of Iris Murdoch landed three Academy Award best actor nominations. Dench, Broadbent -- who won for his portrayal of the older Bayley -- Winslet, and Bonneville deliver a well-paced script, co-adapted and directed by Richard Eyre. Especially during the scenes between Winslet and Bonneville during Murdoch's younger years, the film captures the main character's piercing intellect without alienating the audience.
Likewise, Murdoch's later years, and the difficulties she experienced as her formidable mind started to fail her, are depicted with unfussy realism and are never overly dramatic. The movie's quiet, domestic tone won't be for everyone, and one wonders whether the strain Murdoch's liberal attitude about sex placed on her marriage would've been explored in more depth if Iris hadn't been adapted from a memoir by her husband. But on the whole, this in an informative, well-acted biopic of a woman whose life's work deserves to be preserved and remembered.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Alzheimer's disease is presented in Iris. How did the disease impact Iris and John's relationship? What do you know about Alzheimer's? Why is it important to raise awareness about this and other diseases?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the movie's multiple timelines. Was it effective having two sets of characters playing Iris and John? Did you find the story easy to follow? Can you think of any other movies that have used this technique?
Did you know anything about Iris Murdoch before you saw this movie? Do you think the movie did a good job of portraying her strengths and flaws?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 15, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: August 20, 2002
- Cast: Judi Dench , Kate Winslet , Jim Broadbent
- Director: Richard Eyre
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Miramax
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Curiosity , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: March 28, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Biopic Movies
Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate