Streep displays her tough side in Iron Lady role

HOLLYWOOD legend Meryl Streep yesterday visited Margaret Thatcher’s old stomping grounds to promote her new film about the former prime minister.

The Oscar-winning actress was in London to unveil a poster for The Iron Lady just across the river from the Houses of Parliament.

The film includes scenes from Thatcher’s childhood up to the present day, and portrays the price she paid for power.

With Big Ben as a backdrop, the 62-year-old Hollywood star said she was very “happy” to be in Britain.

She told Londoners to get ready to see her face on posters all over town.

The Daily Telegraph reported in July that Thatcher’s children, Mark and Carol, were “appalled” at the sound of the plot, which they were said to have likened to a “left-wing fantasy”.

At the promotional event yesterday, the film’s director Phyllida Lloyd denied The Iron Lady is an ideological film and said she was convinced Streep’s performance would win Thatcher’s children over.

She said: “I’m sure they view any attempt to put their mother on screen with trepidation, as I’m sure we all would.

“But I think that when they see Meryl’s performance they will understand how much care and attention to Lady Thatcher’s dignity she’s given it,” she added.

Lloyd, who also directed Streep in the smash hit musical Mamma Mia!, said the actress had taken to the role with “astonishing ease and brilliance”.

She said: “I think Margaret Thatcher was a superstar in this country and I think we all felt we needed a superstar to play her, somebody of huge intelligence, passion and power and warmth.”

The Iron Lady will be released on January 6.