United Kingdom
Drama
Feature Film
2001

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Iris tells the story of Iris Murdoch, writer and philosopher and her relationship with her husband, John Bayley in the beginning and end of their relationship.

Told in a parallel narrative, Iris and John's relationship evolves in the 1950's as the pair struggle to understand each other, and as John learns what a spirited and independent woman Iris is. Clearly, Iris is the center of John's universe, as well as the stabilizing force in his life. Tragically, Iris develops Alheizmer's, and at the end of her life John must learn to cope with life as well as cope with the inevitable erosion of Iris' vitality as the disease saps all that he once loved from his beloved.

I found the story fairly ho-hum. Nothing spectacular stood out for me. The most outstanding part of the movie is the acting. Judi Dench plays the elder Iris with great conviction. Kate Winslet plays young Iris, and manages to capture the voice of Judi Dench admirably.

Jim Broadbent, however, is spectacular as Iris' husband, John Bayley. There are moments, as Iris gradually loses her essence, where his expressions are just heartbreaking. As he sits by her bedside after she dies, it's just heartwrenching.

As a side note, all three actors were nominated for Academy Awards, and Jim Broadbent won for best supporting actor.