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
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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
Taglines:
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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Young Iris Murdoch: I wouldn't say you'd had me, just yet.
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Composed by William Farley and Dennis Bovell
Courtesy of KPM Music Ltd.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
As of 2018, Jim Broadbent's Oscar winning performance in this film earned him his only Academy Award nomination. See more »Goofs
When John gets his coat caught against the chair at the pub, a boom mic can be seen in the mirror behind him. See more »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.
See more »
Soundtracks
Reggae TrainComposed by William Farley and Dennis Bovell
Courtesy of KPM Music Ltd.
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Judi Dench's performance as Dame Iris Murdoch was not only flawless, pitch-perfect, and deeply moving, but it was also the performance of a lifetime. The Academy was ridiculous in overlooking her lost gazes, her subtle inflections in voice, her trembling hands, her puzzled mouth. Kate Winslet lost herself inside the young Iris, developing an entirely new set of facial expressions and voice tones. The movie accurately captures the intense passion for life and love that John Bayley describes in his novel, "Elegy For Iris." Altogether, a brilliant film, concise, humurous, terribly sad--and enhanced by four brilliant performances.