All Hail Meryl
July 20th 2008 17:33
Against all odds, the more mature, intelligent and sophisticated ladies are still holding their own in Hollywood at the moment. Among the ranks of Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, Glenn Close and Annette Bening is of course one of the most elegant and enduring of them all – Meryl Streep.
QUOTE: It's hard to negotiate the present landscape with a brain and a female body.
During the course of her career, Streep has been awarded two Academy Awards, six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a BAFTA. She is the most nominated actor ever in the history of the Academy Awards, and is one of a select group of actors to have won all four major motion picture acting awards.
QUOTE: I get nervous calling myself an artist. I feel I'm more like an interpreter or a violinist, you know.
Notoriously hard-working Streep has a diverse range of film credits to her name. Along with The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Silkwood, The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs Kramer, Out of Africa and Sophie’s Choice, Streep made her mark in the adaptations of Isabel Allende’s The House of Spirits and Carrie Fisher’s Postcards from the Edge, Clint Eastwood’s Bridges of Madison County, as Lindy Chamberlain in A Cry in the Dark, and as the saving grace of Prime and The Devil Wears Prada.
QUOTE: When I was 20 I busked to afford accommodation. One night I hadn't earned enough, I actually slept in the open in Green Park [in London]. The view was of the Ritz Hotel and I vowed I'd stay there one day. And I have.
Now, at the age of 59, she shows no signs of slowing down, starring in the recently released and highly energetic Mamma Mia! and in the upcoming film version of Doubt, which also features Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.
QUOTE: It's important to me to work with good people that are not worried about how they look. You know. Real actors. They're your blood.
Despite being one of the most powerful and respected women in Hollywood, Streep seems to be genuinely down-to-earth. She is reportedly unfazed by her appearance, is open and natural in interviews, and she even stayed for the film during the Australian premiere of Mamma Mia! – a rare thing for a big-name actor to do.
QUOTE: I try to lead as ordinary a life as I can. You can't get spoiled if you do your own ironing.
Smart, talented, humorous and humble, Meryl Streep would have to be one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood today.
Michaelie Clark
Quotes courtesy of IMDB
QUOTE: It's hard to negotiate the present landscape with a brain and a female body.
Meryl Streep - Image courtesy of dance.net
QUOTE: I get nervous calling myself an artist. I feel I'm more like an interpreter or a violinist, you know.
A young Meryl - Image courtesy of jamd.com
Notoriously hard-working Streep has a diverse range of film credits to her name. Along with The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Silkwood, The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs Kramer, Out of Africa and Sophie’s Choice, Streep made her mark in the adaptations of Isabel Allende’s The House of Spirits and Carrie Fisher’s Postcards from the Edge, Clint Eastwood’s Bridges of Madison County, as Lindy Chamberlain in A Cry in the Dark, and as the saving grace of Prime and The Devil Wears Prada.
As Miranda Priestly - Image courtesy of ohlalaparis.com
QUOTE: When I was 20 I busked to afford accommodation. One night I hadn't earned enough, I actually slept in the open in Green Park [in London]. The view was of the Ritz Hotel and I vowed I'd stay there one day. And I have.
Now, at the age of 59, she shows no signs of slowing down, starring in the recently released and highly energetic Mamma Mia! and in the upcoming film version of Doubt, which also features Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.
QUOTE: It's important to me to work with good people that are not worried about how they look. You know. Real actors. They're your blood.
In Mamma Mia! Image courtesy of nzherald.co.nz
Despite being one of the most powerful and respected women in Hollywood, Streep seems to be genuinely down-to-earth. She is reportedly unfazed by her appearance, is open and natural in interviews, and she even stayed for the film during the Australian premiere of Mamma Mia! – a rare thing for a big-name actor to do.
QUOTE: I try to lead as ordinary a life as I can. You can't get spoiled if you do your own ironing.
Smart, talented, humorous and humble, Meryl Streep would have to be one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood today.
Michaelie Clark
Quotes courtesy of IMDB
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Loved her in "Adaptation" as Susan Orlean.
Even better: "The Devil Wears Prada" got all the attention, but I thought Streep was even better in Robert Altman's "A Prairie Home Companion" where we get to hear her sing!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I think The Devil Wears Prada stands out on her CV because she was so convincing as the powerful hard-nosed working woman in a man's world - and the film would have been nothing without her.
She was pretty serious about opera before she fell into acting. She did a lot of singing on the stage when she was younger and I think she's moved back into that with Postcards, Prairie and Mamma Mia.
How do some people end up with so many talents? Real talents, unlike too many of the actors/singers/dancers/models following Streep!
Thanks
Michaelie
Comment by Anonymous
I have loved Meryl Streep from the very first time I recall seeing her in Cramer V Cramer, even though I disliked the character she played in the film.
Some of the films she has been in only have her acting as the standout feature. Many a time I've come away from one of her films and said "Meryl was brilliant - shame about the movie."
Good work Michaelie!
Pamela
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
She broke my heart with the emotional truth of her performance in One True Thing (if that doesn't sound too lame!) but I had personal reasons for feeling a connection to that film at the time which may have clouded my judgement a bit.
I also love Albert Brooks' Defending Your Life, it's probably one of the funniest films I've seen.
Meryl definately has elevated a few mediocre films but even she and De Niro etc. couldn't save The Deer Hunter...................one of the most boring films ever made. Watching the wedding scene on a loop should be mandatory for people on death row............it'd save the government a lot of electricity!!!! (;
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I thought she was pretty much the best part of The Devil Wears Prada.
I haven't seen A Prairie Home Companion which is shameful seeing as it is in my lounge!
Adaptation is definitely one that stands out for me as well as Silkwood, Kramer vs Kramer and Death Becomes Her.
Has anyone seen Mama Mia? I've heard good things about it but I find the trailer really annoying and non-appealing...would love to hear some opinions.
Great post as always, Mich.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
She was very good in Kramer vs Kramer, I think that's one of the films that showed how well she can morph into completely different characters.
She has definitely been the saving grace of more than a few flicks, too.
Thank you!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Hahaha a novel idea that one! Sentenced to: death by Deer Hunter.
I didn't mind it though. One True Thing - I haven't seen it and now I really want to check it out. Mind you, she's had a few roles that have had me in tears. She has a lot of conviction in her characters.
Thank you David, your thoughts are always appreciated!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yeah she has done a lot, I suppose she must work pretty hard, but then she's been around for a fair while too.
I just had a look at Wikipedia then - there seems to be even more on IMDB, where I was consulting her profile to write this - yet that table of filmography alone is staggering!
She was definitely the best part of The Devil Wears Prada. So fabulously devilish. And funny and wonderful, and she nearly made up for Anne Hathaway. Ha.
I haven't seen Mamma Mia yet, but will be soonest. I agree the ads are awful, but I was convinced after I saw her interview on Rove along with Colin Firth (another favourite).
She looks pretty darn good it in, considering she's almost 60 - I honestly think she looks closer to 30, and yet she refuses to have surgery, even on her nose, which has a deviated septum and so may not be considered cosmetic - but I still think one of her best looks was in The Devil Wears Prada. Very elegant.
Thanks Trace
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Meryl Streep is hit and miss for me, but I agree when she is on she totally convinces with her acting choices. It's mostly her early work i like though I have to say she surprised me in Adapation, up there with her best.
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Do you think it's because she's not really in your kind of movies, most of the time? I'd like to see her in more films with dark sort of humour, I think it suits her, though she struggled to find her niche in comedy a bit.
Thanks
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I can't believe how good she looks... I wonder if they used any airbrushing? I wouldn't have thought she'd approve of that though, and she is playing the mother of a young woman after all, so maybe not.
As the 'devil' she was great, the best thing about the flick. Her demeanor was so calmly and coldly brutal, yet still quite funny in her disdain.
Thanks Lara!
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Some of her films are just to soppy without the gravity that I know she can weild. badly written scripts with clumsy dialogue also undermine her skills.
So yes some of her films aren't my cup of "a dingo ate my baby"....
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Well after all these decades of work, she was bound to get something wrong, as we all do. And, yes, you have pinpointed her greatest mistake there I think, JD! And she inadvertantly gave Roseanne Barr a leg-up to boot.
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I really wonder how much effort it has taken her or whether she just has super genes? If so, I need to get me some. I think she really is looking excellent, and natural, but I do wonder about all the incredibly beatuiful celebs who claim 'good genes' keep gravity and time at bay!
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Taking the Devil Wears Prada example. Her character barely raises her voice, gives a bit of a look and everyone's knees start trembling. How good is that?
Did anyone see her in Angels in America? That was brilliant. In fact, everyone in that was brilliant.
Good stuff Michaelie.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Angels in America I have heard a lot about but haven't seen. It's supposed to be one of her best, so I should track it down.
Thank you, Mrs M!
Michaelie
Comment by Joanne Fedler
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Have just bought the DVD on ebay. Will let you know how I go.
Michaelie
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Death Becomes her
fabulous
fabulous
fabulous
she has some of the most memorable and touching roles!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
She sure is wonderful. My Angels in America DVD has arrived but I haven't had a chance to watch it yet - from everything I have heard it'll be fantastic.
Thanks!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Overall, it was excellent, and I'm glad I finally got around to watching it!
Comment by Lilla
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I don;t know how I missed this one. This is a fine lady, amongst a fine list you have made here.
I have to agree that I have never ever seena film of hers I didn't enjoy... and I feel that she will make many more before her life is fully spun. I certainly hope so.
great post and collection of quotes.
That first one tickles me pink and totally relatable.;o)
Lilla ...
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I love that quote too, and the one about doing the ironing. A lot of her charm definitely lies in the fact that she's not another boring, talentless diva.
Thanks Lilla!
Michaelie