For whatever reason, I've been wanting to watch Let Them All Talk all the time lately. I don't know if it's the fact that they're on a beautiful boat, or that I enjoy the storyline, or the performances. All of these things are appealing about the film to me, but watching it back again, I realized that it's actually an amazing performance by Meryl. So many subtleties and nuances in both the serious and lighthearted moments. It got me thinking how underrated this role is probably going to end up being when one looks back on her filmography. So I thought it would be a great idea for a poll!
As always, the films on my list are not an exhaustive list. It's easy to immediately think about her non-nominated performances, as it's hard to consider a role that landed an actor an Academy Award nomination and/or win to be considered underrated or somehow undervalued. But I argue that it could be. I'll be curious to see what people think.
August Osage …. Difficult, complex role for Meryl and other lead roles. Story so real and true in many dysfunctional families. It must have been difficult and somewhat unpleasant roles to play for Meryl and the “daughters”as they each were gut wrenching portrayals to perform. ESP over and over takes to dredge up the anger.
ReplyDeleteOMG I canNOT believe I didn't include this! You're absolutely right. One of her best. So layered, so complex. I don't see how any other actor working today could've done that part justice as well as Meryl did.
DeleteThe River Wild
ReplyDeletePlenty. A superb performance, a great movie.
ReplyDeleteSecond place. Let them all talk. A silent masterpiece, a poignant Meryl.
ReplyDeleteI went with Silkwood, because I discovered it far too late in my Meryl journey and was blown away. Although Death Becomes Her was a very close second. Would love to see her and Goldie work together again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Darcy but I went with "Death Becomes Her". It was where I knew "Meryl Streep" from, not knowing what a versatile actress she was. Even though she scored a Golden Globe nomination I feel her Madeline Ashton is a masterclass in comedy and was underrated as well as the movie is criminally derided.
Delete"Silkwood" as well, she completely shape-shifted and disappeared into that role.
If the Academy weren't so reluctant to award her another Oscar I feel she should have won for Silkwood, A Cry In The Dark, The Bridges Of Madison County, Adaptation and Doubt. She was the best of the year for each of these performances and deserved to win for any of them.
I also feel Meryl gets a hard time for her magnificent take on Margaret Thatcher being criminally underrated due to the lacklustre movie. She's therefore unfairly an underrated triple-Oscar winner too, as many like to argue she only won due to it being 29 years and she was overdue. The Iron Lady (and Meryl) would have been better served with a miniseries where they could have told Thatcher's story properly.
Also agree Violet Weston is a criminally maligned performance, let down in part by a movie which could have been much better and excising some key scenes from the play.
"Doubt" is underrated (possibly could have been better) but Meryl so deserved to win for how subtle and interesting she makes Sister Alolysius. Each time I watch I find more in every actor's performance to enjoy.
An interesting discussion might be which of Meryl's movies deserved a warmer reception. I would argue "Silkwood", "The Bridges Of Madison County", "Adaptation", "Doubt" and possibly "August" deserved to make the Best Picture category in their respective years.
Super great insights, Charlie. I tend to discount Death Becomes Her a lot because I'm bitter that she and Goldie ended up doing that and not Thelma & Louise. But you're right...Meryl's performance in DBH is a masterclass in acting and comedy.
DeleteI love how you can tell Madeline was such a bitch because she felt looked down on. The reaction to Earnest calling her a cheap, tacky little tramp. Or how she was so hurt by Helen making her feel less than. You can get her entire character motivation from Meryl's acting.
DeleteAgree about Thelma And Louise but I think Death Becomes Her is a classic in its own right. Wonder if it's true Meryl refused to take Thelma And Louise as the studio wouldn't accept Goldie?
Yeah, it's hard to say about T&L. I know Ridley Scott loved Meryl but didn't think Goldie was right for Thelma. I think Meryl has also been on record saying that they thought she and Goldie were too expensive.
DeleteInteresting Jeff. I like that she and Goldie played against type in DBH and potentially in T&L.
DeleteI have also said as well I feel "Ricki And The Flash" was also a gem of a performance, often overlooked. If the script had spent more time developing Ricki with her family it would have been a stronger film. "Young Adult" is one of my favourite films of the decade and I wish the writer had put more of that fire and dark, sly wit into this script. In the end it was a little too superficial with no really intense, emotional scenes.
We could have so many ideas about changes that could have made some overlooked Meryl movies a little more rewarding..
Doupt, Silkwood,A cry in the dark,Adaptation, Bridgs....yes, five academy awards gems....
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