This is going to be part of a new series in which I select an actor or actress and ask which performance do you think is their best. And what better place to start than with Meryl Streep? Undoubtedly one of the best actresses there is, Streep has enjoyed a simply stellar career thanks to her deep versatility and commitment to her craft. I can’t say I’ve ever seen her give a bad performance in the movies I’ve seen of her’s. I still have many movies of hers to watch, but the vast majority of things she’s been in have made her one of my favourite actresses because of her talent and depth. Just the way she can so embody a character and switch genres is nothing short of spectacular, you know when Meryl Streep is in a film she’ll deliver. So which of her many, wonderful performances is the one that really lingers in your mind.
What Is Your Favourite Meryl Streep Performance?
15 Saturday Apr 2017
Posted in Blogging Questions, Movie opinions and thoughts
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One of the greatest actresses of all time. Meryl is a great favourite of mine, and so many of her performances linger in the mind. Here are my top five Meryl Streep films. 1-Sophie’s Choice. 2- The French Lieutenant’s Woman. 3-Falling In Love. 4- August Osage County. 5-Out Of Africa.
She’s one of a kind. I’ve heard so much about Sophie’s Choice, yet haven’t seen it. I have a copy on DVD, best break it out soon. She’s a real talent.
And Kramer vs. Kramer.
I’m glad I saw Sophie’s Choice when I was young. It haunted me then, but after having kids, I couldn’t watch it now.
Excellent actress.
Kramer Vs Kramer is a very good movie I found. Sophie’s Choice is something I definitely need to see as everyone else seems to have watched it.
You really need to see it. I would never, ever want to be in a position to make that choice (comes near the end).
It sounds very harrowing.
Very.
Out of Africa by far… She is a tough one because honestly I have not seen a single bad movie with her..
I know, she delivers great work. Even when not at her best, she’s still great. Man I want to watch Out of Africa again now.
Funnily enough, I don’t see the mega hype about Streep, but there’s no arguing that she’s an extremely talented actress. Two that aren’t mentioned nearly enough though are her turns in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Postcards From The Edge, both of which are great.
Milo.
Thanks for commenting. I liked her kooky portrayal of the panic stricken Aunt in A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Ooooh, tough question. I love her and she always always delivers stellar performances! I think my faves would be Out of Africa or Sophie’s Choice but I love her in so many things!
I’m making it my mission to watch Sophie’s Choice. Been warned that its a heavy film, but am prepared for that.
Yeah, these good movies about the Holocaust always unsettle me and I can’t watch them often. I’ve seen Sophie’s Choice only once or twice and the last time was a very long time ago, but it’s excellent!
The way I see it, films that deal with The Holocaust need to be dark and unsettling, because it was a horrific time. I will see Sophie’s Choice soon.
Yes, you’re right, they do! Sophie’s Choice was so good it had stayed with me ever since I saw it many years ago.
It must be powerful to have stayed with you for so long.
The one where she sings Abba songs on an island. I can’t remember the name. But it haunts me. Also (full disclosure) I’ve seen very few of her movies. I know she’s a great actor and all that, but she doesn’t make movies that I’d want to go see. She makes heavy films and chick films and the unwatchable combo; the heavy chick film. I liked her in The Devil Where’s Prada and Julie & Julia. I watch her comedies. I’ve never seen one of her dramas. When I think about sitting through Sophie’s Choice, I break out in hives. So yeah the musical where she plays the slutty chick who doesn’t know who fathered her child, that’s my favorite.
Mamma Mia was the Abba movie wasn’t it? It’s one of my favourite Streep performances. Great fun. You can’t help but laugh at the film and revel in its ridiculousness!
Yes that’s the one Paul. It’s pretty ridiculous and yet that’s what makes it fun. And she has a real good singing voice too.
I do like seeing her in comedies, she has a real energy there. Then again she has an energy in almost everything she does.
So many I’ve got to see from the early days. I’ve seen Kramer vs. Kramer but the French Lieutenant’s Woman, Silkwood, Sophie’s Choice are definitely on the list. I imagine She-Devil, Heartburn, House of Spirits, River Wild would be worthy too to round the list and give an idea of her range. Out of those that I have seen The Devil Wears Prada is a great mainstream comedy but three personal favourites are simply Adaptation, Julia and Julia, and Out of Africa.
You’ve seen more than me Lloyd. Man, she’s made loads of movies. Not that I’m surprised because she’s such a talent.
Our greatest living actress Mr President.
Many would agree there Lloyd.
The bridges of madison county
I love her naturalistic work in that. So much is expressed in subtle but meaningful actions and nuances.
you are right, the acting and expressions were just natural, felt like real scenes and not acting
You could feel the growing attraction between them. So beautifully nuanced and heartfelt.
absolutely i have watched the movie at least 3 times and every times i ask my self how can they do it, the expressions are so real it doesn’t feel like acting
I guess it’s just inborn and that they make it so real. They are two very talented stars who’ve endured and are still going strong.
very true
Here’s my review of the film. https://vinnieh.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/the-bridges-of-madison-county/
My God, that really is an incredibly tough question. She has played so many great roles, that it’s almost impossible to name a favorite. I first saw her in a tv series called the Holocaust, about the horrors of the Second World War. But to choose a favorite I think I am going to have to go with Sophie’s Choice. Besides it being a great film, her role was simply amazing 😊
Sophie’s Choice is going at the top of my list. Many people rank it as one of her best so I simply must see it.
Our family watched Holocaust as well.
Others: Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer are the ones that stand out for me.
Although in Kramer vs. Kramer, I liked Dustin Hoffman’s performance mostly.
Pretty much all of them.
Well that’s really true, she never seems to falter it must be said. Such a great range and versatility.
Exactly!
She’s quite simply one of the best.
It’s probably impossible to choose. Personally I like her in The Devil Wears Prada. To play a character who is so scary without raising her voive but without playing her for laughs is a real skill. And to be based on a real life character who is famously intimidating and very much still active means a lot of pressure.
She rocked it as Miranda. What most impressed me was how she didn’t just play her as a villain. Sure she was tyrannical and diva like, but she had to be to survive in the fashion industry. When we see her unguarded and speaking about how she knows the press will have a field day about her divorce, she reveals another side to this seemingly icy woman.
I loved her in august Osage county, Ricky and the Flash, devil wears prada
She really came out swinging in August Osage County, that was intense.
i watched that movie numerous times to the point where i had the funeral supper dialogue memorized and when Ivy and Little Charles found out they were half brother and sister. I cried like a baby through the entire movie! I also had the song Little Charles sang to Ivy downloaded to my playlist ♥
Man that dinner scene really lurked from dark humour to bitter and scorching boiling point so quickly. It’s a really claustrophobic scene.
Mama Mia the movie
A very fun movie showcasing her buoyant charms and impressive vocals. She knows how to have fun.
I was blown away by her performance in Out of Africa Vinnie!
It’s been too long since I last saw that movie. Must see it again.
It’s up there among the best!
I remember her flawless accent and journey in the film. Not to mention chemistry with Robert Redford!
I also thought Klsus Maria Btandaur was excellent in his role as husband !
I can remember him being very good too. And the luscious scenery!
An amazing movie
I’m looking forward to seeing it again in the future.
I would like that too. It’s been forever since I saw that.
I hope to watch it and then review it.
There have been many, for sure. But, and I may be in the minority here, I loved her in She Devil. I thought she was hilarious in that role, and it was such a departure from her usually serious roles. 😃
I do like seeing her in comedy so She Devil is definitely sounding appealing to me.
Check out the original UK TV series first. ‘The Lives and Loves of a She Devil’. Julie T Wallace is great in the role.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098849/
Appreciate the heads up.
The Hours.
JP
She really was superb in that film. As were the other talents of Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore.
Hands down…Sophie’s Choice.
I’m just dying to watch that film. Will have to get in the right frame of mind first to see it.
It’s a heart breaker, for sure.
Appreciate the warning.
There are so many from comedy to being serious that is hard to pick one. When I heard the title of your post, “Death becomes her,” came to mind. She was hilarious in that movie.
I love her in Death Becomes Her. She plays the fabulous and vain bitch to the hilt! As you said though, there are too many to choose from.
Yes there are too many to choose from she is a very talented movie artist
As I said, I’ve seen a good few but have plenty more of her work to view. Any suggestions?
Me mind is blank. I’m sure I have missed a few as well. Her later films I have missed for sure. Her earlier films is that I have trouble remembering the titles. comes with age lol
Haha, there are quite a lot to go through. Don’t worry, I’ll discover more of them.
There is I will look them up on google later
I will do the same.
Great question! There are so many good performances to choose from, and still a few left to watch. I love her work in The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981). Her character there is really mysterious.
I like mysterious characters so that sounds like my kind of movie.
I prefer her playing an American, so would discount any films where she has a dodgy accent. It has to be between The River Wild, and The Bridges of Madison County.
OK, I am going with ‘Bridges’. For the real tear-jerker ending…
Cheers, Pete.
Bridges was such a beautiful and heartbreaking film. She has an Italian accent in that too. Why don’t you like her accents Pete?
I loved the film Out of Africa for the love story, and the wonderful scenery. But her Danish accent ruined the film for me. For years after, every time we saw her, we would cry out “I HEDD A FERMM EEN AAAFRIKKAA”.
The Italian accent in Bridges is bearable, because of the cameras, and Eastwood.
Each to their own Pete. Do you think she’s any good at other accents that aren’t Danish though? I think she’s very impressive at doing accents.
I tend to avoid all actors doing accents. With the exception of Renee Zelwegger, who was great in Bridget Jones, and Gillian Anderson, superb in ‘The Fall’ on TV, with a great English accent.
I take it you don’t like accents that much then, especially when actors attempt them. It can be a hot and miss when some try it out.
I think they are often used unnecessarily, particularly when British actors play German soldiers, as in Valkyrie. Bob Hoskins playing an American has to be one of the worst. And Michael Caine should never ‘do’ accents either.
I personally feel it depends on the actor. Cate Blanchett is pretty amazing at doing accents and like Streep completely disappearing into her roles.
The Devil Wears Prada, Mama Mia..she’s just an overall amazing actress!
You said it excellently. If you want someone to deliver in a film, Meryl Streep can be relied upon.
There are probably better performances out there but my favourite film with Meryl Streep in it was Death Becomes Her. It was so funny.
It’s a darkly delicious movie. Loved seeing her and Goldie Hawn lock horns in battle with bitchy one liners and zany content a plenty
The one liners were pretty great and I just loved the weird comedy. It worked so well.
It was so unusual and that was part of the whole charm. I like my dark comedies.
Oooft. That’s a tough one… just cause I watched it fairly recently, I’d throw a vote for Julie & Julia. Not my kind of flick, usually, but I fair enjoyed it and thought she was pretty brilliant.
I think she’s thoroughly charming in that. You can’t help but feel that unbridled energy and physicality that she plays Julia with.
Definitely her role as Miranda Priestly from Devil’s Wears Prada
I genuinely love that performance. So poised and controlled yet pretty frightening with just the tiniest of gestures.
Death Becomes Her because she’s just fucking hilarious in that film and isn’t afraid to be full of herself and make fun of herself. Meryl is just awesome. I’m still waiting for her to be in an action film franchise.
I like that ability she has to just be funny and send herself up a bit. It’s refreshing to see in actors.
Exactly. Plus, she’s got a nice ass. I still want to see her in an action-film franchise.
An action franchise eh? That would be interesting to see her do. Or maybe a horror movie?
And as you mentioned Death Becomes Her, check this. https://vinnieh.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/death-becomes-her/
I knew I was forgetting one, The Bridges of Madison County.
She was stunning in that film. Working with Clint Eastwood, their quiet and earnest passion shine through. It’s a beautifully touching movie that is hard to forget. I can remember being an emotional wreck by the end of it.
That moment with him standing in the rain. I mentioned it in the Seven Ages of Clint Eastwood. Will be interesting to see if something else gets picked in the Seven Ages of Meryl Streep.
I look forward to the Seven Ages of Meryl Streep. You’ve got a difficult task there because of how many amazing roles she’s had.
Absolutely and tracking some of the older films is going to be difficult.
I’m attempting to watch more of her movies, as there are gaps in my watching that need rectifying.
Oh lord, I could never pick.
It’s a damn hard task to choose just one!
A great idea for a post Vinnieh. It really does question people’s thoughts. I can’t say I have seen many movies she’s been in. No doubt she is a great performer but I usually don’t watch the kind of films she’s usually in…but I remember her in a fantasy movie called Death Becomes Her (1992 ). She plays such an eccentric character which is great to see.
I’m liking the love for Death Becomes Her. She plays the bitch role so well and with a lot of humour.
Out of Africa and The Devil Wears Prada but love her in pretty much anything!
She’s a mega talented woman, gotta love how versatile she is.
Far too hard V~man, Sophie’s choice -River Wild & Bridges of Madison would be my faves.
I love that Bridges is getting a lot of love, it’s a beautiful movie. Sophie’s Choice is at the top of my viewing list.
This is such a great idea Vinnie, but what a difficult choice! I think I’ve loved every movie I’ve seen Streep in but the two that stand out for me are Out of Africa and Sophie’s Choice.
Meryl Streep has so many fantastic parts, never lets me down. As I’ve said to others, I’m planning to watch Sophie’s Choice very soon as it’s one that has escaped me.
I did read that Vinnie. Can’t wait for your review!
You have great faith in me.
Always!
You’re so sweet and a real gem.
😙
My favorite actress. I agree, never seen her give a bad performance.
Sophie´s Choice might be her best, but I also adore her in Doubt and Devil Wears Prada
She’s just a chameleon in every sense of the word. Devil is a great showcase for her, Sophie’s Choice is definitely a movie I need go catch up with.
Have a few fave movies with her – Kramer vs Kramer is always a fave, and Mamma Mia is definitely a guilty pleasure. I know most people slate it for Brosman’s singing but in his defence read he only to the role to work with her -as had had a bit of a crush on her – and didn’t realise it was a musical.
I really enjoy her in Mamma Mia, she has a natural gift for humour. I’ve always seen a luminous quality in a lot of her work that comes through in comedy.
My dad loved her first scene in Death Becomes Her and was shocked on watching it in such a almost vampy performance.
She really has a ball in that scene. Love how she gets into the spirit of things with a sensational and outrageous style.
Oh dear, I’ve only seen ‘Sophie’s Choice’ (which she was really good in) and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, which I didn’t really like and I expected that I would. I really need to up my Meryl game!
I too need to up my Meryl game. But from what I’ve seen, she’s one of the best.
I’ve actually just scheduled a top ten list for her & I’ve not seen a lot of her biggest films. She was very good in Silkwood… I’d maybe go with that. 🙂 I also think she’s good at comedy sometimes but has done some awful comedy films. She was good in The Devil Wears Prada.
I very much look forward to seeing your top ten for her. I liked how she really got so into character in Silkwood, she truly was that woman. I love her so much!
Meryl Streep is an accent specialist. She totally nails it with her polish accent in Sophie’s choice. Though the film is too dramatic, her performance is just stellar!
She’s got a real knack for accents, it’s supremely outstanding how she does it.
I think you will like this. 🙂
Thanks for the link.
You are welcome, brother. 🙂
Much appreciated it.
What a great idea for a blog series! But, is it possible to compare Meryl Streep’s performances with each other? 🙂 They were all great! If I had to choose one, then, even though I loved her in “Kramer vs. Kramer” and in recent “Florence Foster Jenkins”, it will be “Out of Africa” for me, but that maybe because it was just more memorable for me, including because of the plot, Meryl’s accent, etc.
I agree, the woman is simply incapable of being bad. She just inhabits every role with deep skill and effortless grace. It’s sublime watching her immense versatility.
Interesting feature to encourage debate, Vinnie. I like your style, man.
As for Streep, where do you start really? She’s the best there is and too many to choose from. For me, though, it’s always Kramer vs Kramer and Doubt that initially spring to mind. Two very different roles but equally as powerful.
She truly is the best. Funny you me mentioned Doubt, I just bought a copy and plan to watch it when I get time. Heard it’s a very good movie.