'Iris' worthy of its Oscar sucess

Iris - R
Starring: Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet
Directed by: Richard Eyre
Showing: Showplace East 11 "Iris," a movie based on the life of author Iris Murdoch, is an extraordinary film worthy of its recent slew of Oscar nominations. The story of an elderly woman experiencing the horrors of Alzheimer's disease, "Iris" is also an inspirational, well-scripted story of friendship and love. A BBC production, the plot is interesting and fun while also poignant and heartbreaking. The movie concentrates on the relationship of Iris (Judi Dench) and John (Jim Broadbent), an elderly couple still in love and content in their companionship. Iris has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her functionality as an adult worsens every day. John, now an absent-minded man, is faced with watching the deterioration of his intelligent and vivacious lover while taking care of her as well. Much of the movie focuses on the feelings of John, the role which earned Broadbent an Oscar this year. Broadbent's performance is magnificent. The character of John holds many dimensions, as he is hopeful and still very much in love with his wife but also tormented and depressed by her ailment. Broadbent plays each dimension with passion and skill, proving he can do much more than shout at the girls in the "Moulin Rouge." All of the other actors are equally fantastic. Dench delivers a beautiful performance as Iris, capturing the innocence and challenges of a person suffering from Alzheimer's. Kate Winslet is enchanting as the young Iris, surprising audiences with a large degree of sexuality. Hugh Bonneville is delightful as an inhibited, lovesick young John. "Iris" is truly a cinematic success. The characters are well-developed, the script is impeccable, and the story is moving. Although it is an incredible movie, some might take caution in viewing it because of the depressing subject matter. It's very disturbing and painful to watch an amazing woman become a child-like, silent figure, and it's even more painful to watch her loved ones experience the trauma. But I felt like the film tried not to focus on the brutal sadness of the disease until the later part of the movie, and only then did I need to whip out the tissues. Don't let the severity of sadness defer you from viewing this movie -- it's worth every tissue.