Skip over navigation

Help

Iris on DVD (2001)

Iris cover art
Play Iris trailer
Average rating: 70%
1112311142046
3.5
from 2,565 members
 
Starring: Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Broadbent, Penelope Wilton, Samuel West, Timothy West, Juliet Aubrey, Joan Bakewell, Eleanor Bron
Director: Richard Eyre
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 87 mins
Certificate: 15
Collections: Anthony Minghella Collection
User collections: Mental illness on screen
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Dubbed: German
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish
Released: 29/07/2002

Brief synopsis of Iris

Based on the book ELEGY FOR IRIS, by John Bayley, this biopic tells the inspiring and heartbreaking story of the writer's 40-year romance with English novelist Dame Iris Murdoch. The film cuts back and forth between the young Iris and John (played by Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville), at the height of their romantic adventures as students at Oxford in the 1950s, and the elderly couple (played by Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent), struggling with Iris' decline, as her brilliant mind is ravaged by the effects of Alzheimer's.
Judi Dench gives an outstanding performance--her transformation from a prolific genius of the written and spoken word (Murdoch wrote 26 novels), to the infantile state of losing her language facilities altogether, is truly wrenching. Jim Broadbent is equally touching as her partner for life, who has adored the passionate Iris since they met, but was never fully able to possess her until the tragic end, when he declares in grief, I've got you now, and I don't bloody want you! Directed by Richard Eyre, artistic director of Britain's Royal National Theater, the film is uniquely sensitive and finely acted.

Screenshots

Related

Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Director Richard Eyre has made a film that succeeds on the strength of its performances alone in this biography of one of the 20th century's most talented female writers. Essentially Judi Dench is Iris Murdoch. Without her and the incredible support from Jim Broadbent as Murdoch's devoted husband John Bayley and Penelope Wilton as society hostess Janet Stone, this simply wouldn't have the required emotional impact. As it is, you're moved to many, many tears. Murdoch's sharp academic mind is established from the beginning but the story becomes really compelling once the parallel flashback encounters between the young Iris and John (played by Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville) run concurrently with the older writer's gradual deterioration from Alzheimer's disease. As a study of human frailty, love and loss, the film couldn't be more truthful or more powerful thanks mainly to Dench and Broadbent. So much so that sometimes it hurts to watch.

Rating of 2 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Deftly switching back and forth from the young Iris to the diminished old, this somehow misses out on what made her a fascinating figure; some accomplished acting saves it from becoming merely a moderately intriguing drama of an unusual marriage.

See all 2 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 stars

Duncan#5 from EDINBURGH , 12/04/2004

What a moving film. I don't really cry at films but this had the tears coming for almost the entire last half. Captivating and amazing acting from all concerned plus some inspired casting for the young and old versions of the cast. An important film and a moving experience.

  9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 5 starsA Beautiful piece of filmmaking

Ria Llewellyn from Swansea, Wales [Highly rated reviewer] , 27/11/2007

Firstly, I might say that what I got from this film may not have been how it was intended, but tough. Also, my apologies if this review goes on a bit, but I can't help myself when I get into it.

Right. First of all I must say that if you're expecting a lifelong biography of Iris Murdoch, you will be dissappointed. This film, unlike many mediocre films that have come before it about a multitude of personalities, has focus. It revolves almost completely around Iris's later years and her descent into oblivion because of Alzheimers. That is a good thing believe it or not. The way the film switches between past and present becomes so fast and fractured towards the end, that it makes it even more heartbreaking, showing confusion, memories (fragmented or repressed) and basically making you feel as if you were living through the story along with Iris and her husband. Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent put in wonderful performances, and though Winslet's performance leaves a little to be desired, it has to be said the casting was almost perfect. Likenesses between the present and the past are almost instantly recognisable (Hugh Bonneville for example does a wonderful performance and is a wonerful likeness as the young John Bayley) - no easy feat! To sum up, If you like a bit of true story, and you like a bit of drama, a bit of comedy, some weepiness with a chunk of sentimentality thrown in, you'll love this.

  6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 stars

Mark#180 from LIVERPOOL , 12/03/2004

Well acted, emotionally charged and disturbing. Definitely not a "Feel good" film

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 starsA Very English Affair

moviefan40 from Surrey , 03/02/2005

Painfully honest portrayal of Iris Murdoch's decline into the confusion of Alzheimers and her husband's loving and stoical support. Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent are completely believable as the older lovers.

The story of Iris and John as youngsters is not so successful and I would have been more interested in the relationships around the aging couple. But maybe this wasn't so 'box office' as having Kate Winslet take her kit off. Again!

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 stars

Duncan#5 from EDINBURGH , 12/04/2004

What a moving film. I don't really cry at films but this had the tears coming for almost the entire last half. Captivating and amazing acting from all concerned plus some inspired casting for the young and old versions of the cast. An important film and a moving experience.

  9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews

Rated - 5 starsA Beautiful piece of filmmaking

Ria Llewellyn from Swansea, Wales [Highly rated reviewer] , 27/11/2007

Firstly, I might say that what I got from this film may not have been how it was intended, but tough. Also, my apologies if this review goes on a bit, but I can't help myself when I get into it.

Right. First of all I must say that if you're expecting a lifelong biography of Iris Murdoch, you will be dissappointed. This film, unlike many mediocre films that have come before it about a multitude of personalities, has focus. It revolves almost completely around Iris's later years and her descent into oblivion because of Alzheimers. That is a good thing believe it or not. The way the film switches between past and present becomes so fast and fractured towards the end, that it makes it even more heartbreaking, showing confusion, memories (fragmented or repressed) and basically making you feel as if you were living through the story along with Iris and her husband. Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent put in wonderful performances, and though Winslet's performance leaves a little to be desired, it has to be said the casting was almost perfect. Likenesses between the present and the past are almost instantly recognisable (Hugh Bonneville for example does a wonderful performance and is a wonerful likeness as the young John Bayley) - no easy feat! To sum up, If you like a bit of true story, and you like a bit of drama, a bit of comedy, some weepiness with a chunk of sentimentality thrown in, you'll love this.

  6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews