Iris (2001 film)

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Iris
Image:Iris poster.jpg Iris film poster
Directed by	Richard Eyre
Produced by	Robert Fox, Thomas Hedley Jr., Scott Rudin
Written by	John Bayley (book), Richard Eyre, Charles Wood
Starring	Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent
Music by	James Horner
Cinematography	Roger Pratt
Editing by	Martin Walsh
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release date(s)	December 14, 2001
Running time	91 min.
Language	English
Budget	~ US$5,500,000
IMDb profile

Iris is a 2001 film that tells the story of British novelist Iris Murdoch and her relationship with John Bayley. The film contrasts the start of their relationship, when Murdoch (played by Kate Winslet) was an outgoing, dominant individual as compared to her timid and scholarly partner Bayley (played by Hugh Bonneville), and their later life, when Murdoch (now played by Dame Judi Dench) was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and tended to by a frustrated Bayley (played by Jim Broadbent) in their North Oxford home in Charlbury Road.

The film, which was directed by Richard Eyre, is based on Bayley's memoir Elegy for Iris.

Jim Broadbent received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. Judi Dench and Kate Winslet were both nominated, for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

When the young Iris Murdoch meets fellow student John Bayley at the University of Oxford, he is a naive virgin easily flummoxed by her libertine spirit, arch personality, and obvious artistic talent. Decades later, little has changed and the couple keeps house, with John doting on his more famous wife. When Iris begins experiencing forgetfulness and dementia, however, the ever-doltish but devoted John struggles with hopelessness and frustration to become her caretaker, as his wife's mind deteriorates from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.