Iris: Your views

Kate Winslet plays the young Iris Murdoch

Iris Murdoch, the UK novelist and philosopher, died in 1999 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The film about her life story looks at both the young writer (played by Kate Winslet) and the older woman (Judi Dench) who struggles with the debilitating disease.

"Dench's portrayal is so convincing and transparent that it is very easy to forget that she is acting at all," wrote BBC News Online's Ian Youngs.

He added: "It is the characters, the feelings and the nuances - every furrow of Dench's brow and every exasperated gasp from Broadbent - that make this film human and special."

But what do you think?

Is it an accurate portrayal of Iris Murdoch and the effects of Alzheimer's disease? Does Dench's performance point towards a possible Oscar?

The portrayal of Alzheimer's, as I've observed it in people I know (knew?) couldn't have been more accurate or powerful. This goes beyond Dench's Oscar-calibre performance, to the isolation which Murdoch and Bayley experienced at the end. If there's some dispute about that, I'd credit Bayley's version. Most folks treat those afflicted with Alzheimer's as if they're already gone.
Janet G, USA

I thought it was very moving, but I was very sad at the end, and I thought it should have had a happy ending, like, Iris becomes the Queen or something.
Tom K, UK

A fantastic and very moving film - which is neither too long or concentrates on just one part of the story. Kate Winslet and Judi Dench both deserve Oscars!
Tara Miles, UK

Having observed someone first-hand with Alzheimer's, I think Judi Dench's portrayal is brilliantly observed and acted. Through gestures and facial expressions, and very little dialogue, she conveys the emotions of fear, confusion, grief and anger, so well. This incredibly talented actress definitely deserves a Best Actress Oscar!
Jan, Australia

Having never met Ms Murdoch it is impossible for me to make a judgement as to whether Judi Dench's portrayal of her was "accurate", or not! But in terms of her portrayal of someone affected by Alzheimer's disease, this was acutely observed and brilliantly acted. Deserving of an Oscar? Definitely!
Jan, Australia

I thought it was dull, unambitious and it didn't move me at all - which sums up many other BBC Films I've endured at the cinema. It is the type of film the Beeb used to make as a Play for Today, or at most to be broadcast at Christmas. I resent paying my TV licence for projects like this which are shown commercially at cinemas before the BBC broadcasts it years later. BBC Films must do better.
David Challinor, UK

I am mystified by reviews that fail to see the excellence of this movie. Judi Dench deserves two Oscars for this single, awesome, perfectly played portrayal of Murdoch, which means, of course, that she will get none. The Academy prefers heavyhanded, accent-mauling performances like Russell Crowe's in "A Beautiful Mind." I've read Murdoch, and I have seen Alzheimer's sufferers, and I say this is a very, very fine film. The reaction of many American critics makes me embarrassed to be an American. Kudos to all of the artists who made "Iris."
Lynn, United States