Kerry and I went to see this film last evening and it did not disappoint, but I have to say that I do understand some of the concerns that have been expressed about the timing of the film’s release.

The initial sequence sees an old lady buying a paper and some milk in a corner shop. When she is told the milk costs 49p, her eyes open wide with abhorrence. It’s the first sight of Meryl Streep’s superb impersonation of Lady Thatcher.

For me; the problems lie with the script; the film has been shaped to be about ageing and loss, experiences heightened in the case of Thatcher by the scale of her career but universal nonetheless.

The film takes place over just a few days in the present day. It is several years since Denis’s death and Margaret, now fairly senile, is, with Carol’s help, trying to shape up finally to throwing out his clothes. But, in her confusion, he still appears with her in the room, cracking jokes and jollying her along – “Attagirl!” – as he apparently always did. As she struggles through a dinner party and a visit to a doctor, various triggers – terrorism on TV, a home movie, a Falklands victory statuette – spark memories of the key events of her life.

In short it is a very watchable film, about one of the most significant figures in British political history and yet it seems to be more about senility and bereavement than the Iron Lady’s political achievements and challenges.