Iron Lady ** (PG-13)

Mark Glass | Jan 17, 2012, 3:49 p.m.

Iron Lady - The Movie

Here’s another biopic Hollywood trotted out as a vanity vehicle for a star, regardless of other merit factors. Leo DiCaprio acted brilliantly, with fine support from makeup and wardrobe, in pointlessly chronicling a version of J. Edgar Hoover’s career. Now Meryl Streep proves she can “do” Margaret Thatcher in another exercise of “who cares?”

Thatcher’s life and times hardly seem worthy of chronicling in this manner, at this stage of world events. She’s one of many powerful women that have led major countries, and wasn’t the first. Whatever impact her perspectives and actions may have had while rising through the political ranks, and during her tenure as England’s Prime Minister, the events and dialog seem dated, and out of touch with today’s global problems and needs. The result is a film of little historic interest, or current relevance, even before any partisan arguments begin over historical accuracy.

Streep has already proven she can be brilliant in virtually any role. It’s hard to see why she felt this gig was worthy of her skills, unless it’s a warmup for squaring off with Helen Mirren, reprising her excellent 2006 take on Queen Elizabeth as they form a legion of superheroes, fighting villains like our ex-presidents in Robert Smigel’s usually hilarious ‘toons on Saturday Night Live. If so, that should be far more entertaining than either J. Edgar or this offering.