Watch Meryl Streep get the Kennedy Center treatment
Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline and Anne Hathaway among those paying tribute
Meryl Streep at the New York premiere of "The Iron Lady."
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Whether Meryl Streep wins her third Oscar in two months' time or not is still highly uncertain -- Michelle Williams has so far been winning the battle of the biopics in the critics' awards, while Viola Davis must wait until January's more populist ceremonies to potentially make her mark in the race -- but she's already received a neat maybe-consolation prize in the form of her Kennedy Center Honors presentation, which aired on US television last night.
Certainly, no Academy Award presentation can match this one for either generosity of spirit or simple star wattage: in order, Tracey Ullman, Robert De Niro, Mike Nichols, Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway all turned up to pay their respects in an elaborately staged tribute that, while unrelated, seemed to karmically repay Streep for her own lovely testimony at the Academy's Vanessa Redgrave tribute evening last month. The actress seems more comfortable at the giving than the receiving end of lavish praise, but good sport that she is, she grins through the whole thing.
It starts rather well, with Ullman's appealingly rough-edged banter and a killer line from De Niro -- "As an actor, looking through those moments of Meryl's life, my first thought is that... I was amazing in 'The Deer Hunter'" -- though I confess I found myself cringing a bit as it segued into awkwardly rehearsed patter between the commendably game trio of Kline, Tucci and Blunt, climaxing with a twee musical number from Hathaway is full head-girl mode. It's rather like watching all the worst innovations from the last three Oscar ceremonies rolled into one. Still, everyone's heart is in the right place, and the whole production couldn't be in service of a more deserving honoree.
I paid my own tribute to Streep recently with my top 10 list of the actress's finest performances; check that out if you missed it, and enjoy the Kennedy Center video below.
For more views on movies, awards season and other pursuits, follow @GuyLodge on Twitter.
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2012-2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup And Hairstyling
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Production Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Visual Effects
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Foreign Language Film
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupBrandt Hardin
December 28, 2011 at 8:18PM EST Reply to CommentMeryl may be headed for another Oscar nod for the Iron Lady but she’s never looked better than on the Zombie Walk of Fame as a featured diva at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/10/00-countdown-to-halloween-divas-of.html
HoustonRufus
December 28, 2011 at 8:59PM EST Reply to CommentVery well deserved honor for Streep.
m1
December 28, 2011 at 9:14PM EST Reply to CommentI saw this on EW earlier today. It seemed like such a wonderful broadcast. I wish that I had not forgotten to DVR it yesterday.
Laura Stewart
December 28, 2011 at 10:10PM EST Reply to CommentWho needs an Oscar when you are sitting 2 seats away from the President & FLOTUS and Hathaway and co. are serenading you. WOW!
Laura Stewart
December 28, 2011 at 10:13PM EST Reply to Comment"I found myself cringing a bit as it segued into awkwardly rehearsed patter between the commendably game trio of Kline, Tucci and Blunt, climaxing with a twee musical number from Hathaway is full head-girl mode. It's rather like watching all the worst innovations from the last three Oscar ceremonies rolled into one."
I cringed right when Hathaway walked on. I feel like she elicits that reaction from everyone. She's just... too much. But you're right, everyone's heart is in the right place and that is what matters! :)
December 29, 2011 at 11:43PM ESTPaul Outlaw Well, it was a version of the song Streep sang to Nicholson in Ironweed, after all.
December 30, 2011 at 12:05AM ESTPaul Outlaw
December 28, 2011 at 10:43PM EST Reply to CommentSeeing that "Rue the day!" scene from The Iron Lady a second time, I was reminded even more of the "Don't fuck me with me fellas!" scene in Mommie Dearest. I doubt that was the intention, though.
Eunice
December 31, 2011 at 3:29AM EST Reply to CommentI thought it was great that Hathaway chose to fete Streep by singing her a version of 'He's Me Pal' from Ironweed. She was as usual, very enthusiastic, but her heart was in the right place. You can tell that Streep enjoyed singing that one as well.
I would've loved it if Steve Martin, Robert Redford, or Nicholas Cage were part of the tribute, but it was lovely that Tucci and Kline were there, as they've been two of her best onscreen partners.