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
From metacritic.com
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Title: Iris (2001)
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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) | |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by kem
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Her greatest talent was for lifeParents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 March 2002 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$5,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$23,144, 16 December 2001, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,292,119, 9 August 2015Company Credits
Production Co:
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Fox Iris Productions,Intermedia Films See more »
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Janet Stone: Now don't, John, it's cruel.
John Bayley: No, you're wrong, it's not cruel. It's nothing. I mean, it's not understood. She's in her own world now. Perhaps it's what she always wanted.
Janet Stone: [smiles dotingly at Iris]
See more »
Composed by Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Sol Marcus, Edward Seiler
Performed by The Ink Spots
By kind permission of MCA
Co-publisher Chappell & Co./Warner Chappell, Cherio Corporation, Bug Music Inc, c/o Eddie Durham Swing Music,
Carlin America
See more »
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 (1998), the same year that Cate Blanchett was nominated for playing the part in Elizabeth (1998). See more »Goofs
When Iris and John go to visit Maurice Charlton, a reflection of the camera lighting is seen on the inside of the front door. See more »Quotes
John Bayley: [talking in front of Iris] Horrible thing, to stand with your toes at the edge of the precipice. You can say anything you like, as long as you make it sound like it was a joke.Janet Stone: Now don't, John, it's cruel.
John Bayley: No, you're wrong, it's not cruel. It's nothing. I mean, it's not understood. She's in her own world now. Perhaps it's what she always wanted.
Janet Stone: [smiles dotingly at Iris]
See more »
Soundtracks
I Don't Want to Set the World on FireComposed by Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Sol Marcus, Edward Seiler
Performed by The Ink Spots
By kind permission of MCA
Co-publisher Chappell & Co./Warner Chappell, Cherio Corporation, Bug Music Inc, c/o Eddie Durham Swing Music,
Carlin America
See more »
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"Iris" is too short.
I wanted more about Iris Murdoch before she descends into Alzheimer's disease (stunningly portrayed by Judi Dench), other than a few lectures, and more explanation on why the young Iris fixed on her husband.
I haven't read the memoirs by the husband; it's possible that because the books and thence the movie are from his view point that we can't get inside Iris's head young, old, or befuddled.
The Young Iris segments mostly point up again that Kate Winslet has a beautiful naked body (was this before or after her baby?) and I didn't see how she did enough otherwise to justify the award nominations.
The Young Husband looks amazingly like the old Broadbent, so that the flashbacks are completely seamless, and both are terrific.
It's nice to see on screen a house as much of a mess as mine, filled with reading material, but I think we were supposed to react negatively at the sight and scream doesn't the British health services provide home health aides?
Altogether a very moving movie, helped by James Horner's music, especially sympathetic to what a caregiver goes through.
(originally written 3/3/2002)