Iris (2001)
80%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
14 wins & 31 nominations total
A solidly constructed drama, Iris is greatly elevated by the strength of its four lead performances
Iris” is a movie that tells the story of a brilliant woman whose life’s work deserves to be remembered. The performances in the movie are top-notch, and the actors embody a standard of excellence that Iris Murdoch herself would have cheered. While the story may not be the most exciting, the powerful performances and sensitive script combine in such a way that the effect is almost unbearably moving. Winslet and Dench play off each other in perfect pitch, and there are not two, but four sterling performances here. Overall, “Iris” is an informative and well-acted biopic that is definitely worth a watch.
Production Company(ies)
Tequila Gang Estudios Picasso Esperanto Filmoj
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Southwold, Suffolk, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2002
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton, Juliet Aubrey, directed by Richard Eyre, written by Richard Eyre, Charles Wood, drama, $5.6M box office, R MPAA rating, reviewed by Steve Davis, Jay Boyar, Peter Howell, Rick Groen, Desson Thomson, Ann Hornaday, Samiya A Bashir, Alistair Lawrence, Sophie Gorman, Jeffrey Chen, Emanuel Levy, David Nusair, Alzheimer’s, author, philosopher, Oxford, sexuality, nudity, language, Miramax Films, Robert Fox, Scott Rudin, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR, Flat (1.85:1)
Worldwide gross: $16,153,953
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,792,342
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,585
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,921,738
US/Canada gross: $5,594,617
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,279,022
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,635
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,144
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $38,386
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,280
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $9,122,094
Production budget ranking: 1,711
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,912,248
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,758,000
ROI to date (est.): 91%
ROI ranking: 974
Jim Broadbent – John Bayley
Kate Winslet – Young Iris Murdoch
Hugh Bonneville – Young John Bayley
Penelope Wilton – Janet Stone
Juliet Aubrey – Young Janet Stone
Director(s)
Richard Eyre
Writer(s)
Richard Eyre, Charles Wood
Producer(s)
Robert Fox, Scott Rudin
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
14 wins & 31 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (112) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (89) | Rotten (23)
March 3, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/5
Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
[The] performances, if nothing else, embody a standard of excellence that Iris Murdoch herself would surely have cheered.
February 28, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
The impoverished story keeps Iris from achieving greatness, but no qualifiers are needed for the acting.
February 26, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
For a movie whose subject is the decline and fall of a towering intellect, there’s precious little to think about here.
February 23, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
There are not two, but four sterling performances here.
February 15, 2002 | Rating: 4.5/5
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Not just a fitting document of a life brilliantly lived but a vibrant, almost palpitating piece of cinema.
February 15, 2002 | Rating: 4.5/5
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Winslet and Dench play off each other in perfect pitch.
May 24, 2022
Samiya A. Bashir
Curve
This in an informative, well-acted biopic of a woman whose life’s work deserves to be preserved and remembered.
June 23, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Alistair Lawrence
Common Sense Media
Powerful performances and a sensitive script in Iris combine in such a powerful manner that the effect is almost unbearably moving
October 17, 2017
Sophie Gorman
The Herald (Ireland)
Admittedly, it’s hard not to be affected.
April 9, 2010 | Rating: 6/10
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies
Despite good acting from the two pairs, viewers expecting illuminating insights about the literary genius, eccentric philosophy and complex sexuality of Iris Murdoch will be disappointed by Richard Eyre’s minor, rambling, TV-like film.
December 14, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
…Iris isn’t necessarily an enjoyable piece of work, though it’s certainly interesting…
November 25, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews…
Plot
This movie is based on the life of revered British writer and philosopher Iris Murdoch (Dame Judi Dench), is a story of unlikely yet enduring love. As a young academic, teaching philosophy at Oxford, Murdoch (Kate Winslet) meets and eventually falls in love with fellow professor John Bayley (Hugh Bonneville), 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 older Bayley’s (Jim Broadbent’s) eyes. He recalls their first encounter over forty 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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Jim Broadbent’s performance as John Bayley in Iris earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
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