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Iris (I) (2001)

R  |   |  Biography, Drama, Romance  |  29 March 2002 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 14,219 users   Metascore: 76/100
Reviews: 136 user | 100 critic | 30 from Metacritic.com

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.

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(books), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: Iris (2001)

Iris (2001) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 28 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Young John Bayley
...
...
...
Principal
Angela Morant ...
Hostess
...
Janet Stone
Siobhan Hayes ...
Check-Out Girl
...
Young Janet Stone
Joan Bakewell ...
BBC Presenter
Nancy Carroll ...
BBC PA
...
Dr. Gudgeon
Tom Mannion ...
Neurologist
...
Postman
...
Young Maurice (as Sam West)
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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

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Her greatest talent was for life


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

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Country:

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Language:

Release Date:

29 March 2002 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch  »

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$23,144 (USA) (14 December 2001)

Gross:

$1,292,119 (USA) (7 August 2015)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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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 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

Iris Murdoch: Every human soul has seen, perhaps before their birth pure forms such as justice, temperance, beauty and all the great moral qualities which we hold in honour. We are moved towards what is good by the faint memory of these forms simple and calm and blessed which we saw once in a pure, clear light being pure ourselves.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

Cerisier rose et pommier blanc
Composed by Louiguy and Jacques Larue
Copyright 1958, 1990 by Sidomusic B. Liechti & Cie
By kind permission of Warner / Chappell Music Ltd
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User Reviews

 
Beautifully told but incomplete
22 August 2002 | by (Orange County, CA USA) – See all my reviews

"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+)


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