Once you see that this 1981 film of the John Fowles tome was adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter, the film’s ever-so meta construct makes a little more sense.  Though Fowles’ work  is fairly dense and was considered by many un-adaptable for film, Pinter employs an interesting device that may seem a bit novel to modern audiences accustomed to the parallel time construct.

Though nominated twice before (and winning once) in the supporting category, Streep earned her first Best Actress Oscar nomination for her work  in the film.   Here she’s playing the dual role of a 19^th century woman engaged in a torrid affair and her modern-day film star counterpart involved in a similar dalliance on the set of The French Lieutenant’s Woman.  Irons is a strong co-star with a tricky role that often is relatable but unlikable at the same time.  The two classically trained actors have a believable rapport and chemistry that helps define their characters in each time period.