Iris (2001/I)

Director:

Richard Eyre

Writers:

John Bayley (books)
Richard Eyre (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 January 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Her greatest talent was for life

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Alzheimer's Disease | Novelist | Love | Marriage | Death

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Kate Winslet	...	Young Iris Murdoch
Hugh Bonneville	...	Young John Bayley
Judi Dench	...	Iris Murdoch
Jim Broadbent	...	John Bayley
Eleanor Bron	...	Principal
Angela Morant	...	Hostess
Penelope Wilton	...	Janet Stone
Siobhan Hayes	...	Check-Out Girl
Juliet Aubrey	...	Young Janet Stone
Joan Bakewell	...	BBC Presenter
Nancy Carroll	...	BBC PA
Kris Marshall	...	Dr. Gudgeon
Tom Mannion	...	Neurologist
Derek Hutchinson	...	Postman
Samuel West	...	Young Maurice (as Sam West)

Also Known As:

Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:18SX | Hungary:14 | Singapore:PG (video rating) (heavily cut) | Singapore:R(A) (theatrical rating) (cut) | South Korea:15 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:AA | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:AL | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Magpie Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Timothy West who plays "Older Maurice" and Samuel West who plays "Young Maurice" are father and son.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When John gets his coat caught against the chair at the pub, a boom mic can be seen in the mirror behind him.

Quotes:

Iris Murdoch: There is only one freedom of any importance, freedom of the mind.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#20.4)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Cerisier rose et pommier blanc (Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White)

A Life in Love

This film succeeds where the overrated "A Beautiful Mind" fell short. It puts its subject'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.

But 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 Bayley'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.

One person who commented stated that this was "another disease movie." Funny how you never hear a complaints about "another gangster movie" or "another romantic comedy" or "another suspense thriller." SO WHAT? First of all, it is not a disease movie, it is at its heart a romance, and a "meaning of life" film, much moreso than a film about Alzheimer'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 Murdock's story WITHOUT giving the disease its proper weight in the course of the film.

The 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 counterparts' 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