Iris (I) (2001)

True story of the lifelong romance between novelist Iris Murdoch and her husband John Bayley, from their student days through her battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Director:

Richard Eyre

Writers:

John Bayley (books), Richard Eyre (screenplay),

Stars:

Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench

Won 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Winslet	...	Young Iris Murdoch
Hugh Bonneville	...	Young John Bayley
Judi Dench	...	Iris Murdoch
Jim Broadbent	...	John Bayley
Eleanor Bron	...	Principal
Angela Morant	...	Hostess
Penelope Wilton	...	Janet Stone
Siobhan Hayes	...	Check-Out Girl
Juliet Aubrey	...	Young Janet Stone
Joan Bakewell	...	BBC Presenter
Nancy Carroll	...	BBC PA
Kris Marshall	...	Dr. Gudgeon
Tom Mannion	...	Neurologist
Derek Hutchinson	...	Postman
Samuel West	...	Young Maurice (as Sam West)

Storyline

Iris, based on the life of revered British writer and philosopher Iris Murdoch, is a story of unlikely yet enduring love. As a young academic, teaching philosophy at Oxford, Murdoch meets and eventually falls in love with fellow professor John Bayley, a man whose awkwardness seems in stark opposition to the spirited self-confidence of his future wife. The story unfolds as snippets of time, seen through Bayley's eyes. He recalls their first encounter over 40 years ago, activities they enjoyed doing together, and Iris' charismatic and individualistic personality. These images portray Murdoch as a vibrant young woman with great intellect and are contrasted with the novelist's later life, after the effects of Alzheimer's disease have ravaged her. Murdoch's great mind deteriorates until she is reduced to a mere vestige of her former self, unable to perform simple tasks and completely reliant on her at times frustrated yet devoted husband.

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Plot Keywords:

alzheimer's disease | novelist | love | friend | philosopher | 

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Taglines:

Her greatest talent was for life

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch

Filming Locations:

Magpie Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£378,749 (UK) (18 January 2002)

Gross:

$5,580,479 (USA) (10 May 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Fox Iris Productions, Intermedia Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film also marks the second time that Judi Dench, and another actress playing the same part, have both been nominated for an Oscar. Previously, Dench won Best Supporting Actress for playing Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, the same year that Cate Blanchett was nominated for playing the part in Elizabeth.

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Goofs

When John gets his coat caught against the chair at the pub, a boom mic can be seen in the mirror behind him.

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Quotes

Young John Bayley: I could get in trouble, having women in my room.
Young Iris Murdoch: I wouldn't say you'd had me, just yet.

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Connections

Features Big Break (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Cerisier rose et pommier blanc (Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White)"
Composed by Louiguy and Larue
Copyright 1958, 1990 by Sidomusic B. Liechti & Cie
By kind permission of Warner / Chappell Music Ltd

User Reviews

Beautifully told but incomplete

"Iris" tells of British novelist Iris Murdoch and her husband as they struggle together with her Alzheimer's affliction. The couple is portrayed in youth by Winslet and Bonneville and in old age by Dench and Broadbent with all delivering sterling performances. The plaintive and wistful story is told through interleaving scenes of the older couple's struggle with moments from the younger couple's life. As far as it goes, the film is an excellent product. What it doesn't deliver, however, is a deep sense of Murdoch, her philosophies and complexities of thought thereby giving greater depth to the character and a sense of the significance of what she is losing. In short, the film dwells too much on the disease and too little on the woman. Recommended for more mature viewers (B+)