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 (Kate Winslet/Judi Dench) meets and
eventually falls in love with fellow professor John Bayley (Hugh
Bonneville/Jim Broadbent), 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.