Iris (2001)

The Worst Film Ever

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

But the two John Bayley actors were superb, purely sublime, especially Broadbent who won an AA for his supporting role. I find Winslet and Dench both unappealing and harsh, with zero charisma or star-quality, and I consider both to be vastly over-rated. The film seemed to me like a documentary. Not sure that it's a good idea to do a flick with the main character going through declining mental ability, struck me as unkind and nasty. I rate it 4/10. NB: Great to see an orchestra aping Harry James's wonderful "Cherry Pink". Costumes and sets very fine.

a film escaping to definitions. because it is an example of...magic. for impeccable performances of Judy Dench and Kate Winslet. for the essence of Alzheimer. for the portrait of an unique writer. for tension and for cruelty and for dialogue and for atmosphere and for something who, for long time, remains fresh in the memory of viewer. it is not easy to say why "Iris" represents more than a good adaptation or a great movie. maybe, because it is a story from yourself. or a mirror. for the references to the first meet with the style of Iris Murdoch. and for the remember of our extreme fragility. short, a film entirely remarkable.

"Iris" is a beautiful film from 2001. It is currently available on NetFlix Instant Download Streaming. The director is Richard Eyre. The writers are John Bayley and Richard Eyre. Actors include Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent. 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. I gave the film 8 stars. Dale Haufrect

Essentially this is the story of love, loss and human frailty, and what a story it is. It is so truthful, powerful and heart-wrenching. The film is beautiful to watch too, with the cinematography and settings just exquisite, complete with a lovely score, a touching script and sensitive direction from Richard Eyre where he directs with a sharp academic mind. And the parallel flashbacks are beautifully done. What makes Iris are the strength of the performances, because the acting is just brilliant in this film. Judi Dench is wonderful as always, and Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville are believable too, but the best performances for me come from Jim Broadbent as her devoted husband Jim Bayley and Penelope Wilton as society hostess Janet Stone. In conclusion, it is a beautiful and very poignant film, so much so it hurts. 10/10 Bethany Cox