Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Excellent British biopic has nudity, sex, language, illness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Iris
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 Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Miramax
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : June 30, 2021
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