Iris

Oscar nominees Kate Winslet and Judi Dench give wondrously-in-sync, enthusiastically pedantic performances as the young and old Iris Murdoch in this inspired and inventive biography of one of Britain's premier 20th century authors. Kudos as well go to the two actors, Hugh Bonneville and Jim Broadbent, who play Murdoch's fidgety and unstrung but unconditionally devoted husband, especially the Oscar-winning Broadbent, who must nurse Murdoch through the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. But make no mistake, Iris is neither a disease-of-the-week TV movie nor a soft-focus triple-hankie weeper, rather it's a story of love sprung from intellect--nicely drawn by director Richard Eyre with interwoven parallel narratives. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a brief "special message" from actor and Alzheimer's Association national board member David Hyde Pierce, a near 14-minute behind the scenes "A Look at Iris" featurette, and a six-minute segment on the Alzheimer's Association honoring of the film and star Jim Broadbent. Bottom line: a skimpy extras package for a powerful film.] (R. Blackwelder)