#14: The Iron Lady, 84th Academy Awards, 2012
Categories: Winner of 2 Academy Awards, including Best Actress and Best Make-up and Hairstyling
Best Actress nominees who lost at the 84th Academy Awards:
- Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
- Viola Davis, The Help
- Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
- Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Meryl Streep’s unparalleled talent has earned her many Oscar nominations and wins, solidifying her status as one of the greatest actors ever. Yet, her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady sparked controversy. Many felt Streep had more deserving roles and criticized the film for glossing over the controversial aspects of Thatcher’s legacy.
Streep delivered another stellar performance in The Iron Lady, which, while excellent, some saw as a rose-tinted retelling of Thatcher’s reign, presenting her and her policies in a sympathetic light. Despite Streep’s undeniable skill, even her staunchest admirers found it difficult to rally behind her passionate portrayal in a film that felt more like a glorified puff piece than a nuanced exploration of history.