The Lists: In Contention's Top 10 Meryl Streep Performances
With 'The Iron Lady' coming, we collect the 16-time Oscar nominee's career highlights
In Contention's Top 10 Meryl Streep Performances
Meryl Streep's interpretation of Margaret Thatcher looks certain to land the actress her 17th Oscar nomination, bettering her own extraordinary record. But does it rank with her best work? Find out in our round-up of Streep's 10 finest hours, including her performances in "Silkwood," "Adaptation" and "Kramer vs. Kramer." Click through to see if and where your favorites ranked, then chime in with your own thoughts at In Contention.
Photo Credit: The Weinstein Company
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupIsaac Richter
December 14, 2011 at 3:59PM EST Reply to CommentGuy, I noticed you didn't list any of her most recent nominations (and no roles post-2006), which kind of pinpoints my problem with this Streep fascination as of late. I don't think they're necessarily nominating the performance as much as they are simply ticking off Streep´s name because she is "Meryl Streep". This only bothers me in years when there are so many strong actresses that can't break in because there's a spot reserved for her (my biggest problem was in 2008, when she was nominated for an extremely mannered, over-the-top performance in Doubt and didn't leave room for what I believe were much stronger performances from Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky and Michelle Williams in Wendy and Lucy). I do believe she deserved that nod for The Devil Wears Prada though.
As for Meryl Streep herself, I do believe she is a remarkable actress, and the two performances she won Oscars for remain my two favorites of her. I can't watch her courtroom scene in Kramer vs. Kramer without tearing up a little, and I remember when I first watched Sophie's Choice, there's an entire section where she's narrating her time in Auschwitz to a very young Peter McNiccol, and her voice is so commanding that I could not look away. Good call on Death Becomes Her as well. I very much enjoyed that film. I still need to see Silkwood, but I also loved her work in both The Deer Hunter (even though the standout for me there was DeNiro) and The French Lieutenant's Woman.
And, yes, her double-hitter in 2002 was fantastic and she definitely deserved nominations for both. Adaptation was a performance that took me a long time to appreciate, but I definitely love that dial tone scene now.
Rodrigo de Oliveira
December 14, 2011 at 4:24PM EST Reply to Comment"The Brides of Madison County", dude. Seriously, "The Bridges of Madison County". ;)
manrico1967
December 14, 2011 at 4:26PM EST Reply to CommentI have seen Sophie's Choice six times. Three of them in a theater.
I still think is the most overrated performance in the history of movies.
J
December 14, 2011 at 4:46PM EST Reply to CommentI'm just gonna assume that you never saw A Cry in the Dark or The Bridges of Madison County or Out of Africa.
Guy Lodge
December 14, 2011 at 5:11PM EST Reply to CommentThanks for the comments, guys. Can I ask readers to please comment back at the original post at In Contention? It's better if we keep the conversation flowing in one place.
And J, of course I've seen those films. What would be the point of doing the list if I hadn't?
Becky I am surprised you left out Plenty. The part scene with John Guilgud is one of my all time favorites.
December 15, 2011 at 1:19AM ESTPatrick Roaldsen
December 14, 2011 at 6:01PM EST Reply to CommentDeath Becomes Her??? Come on Guy.....how about Out of Africa or One True Thing, both much more worthy dramatic turns
Guy Lodge Totally disagree... is there something intrinsically more worthy about a dramatic turn?
December 14, 2011 at 7:22PM ESTOnce again, I appreciate the feedback, but we'd really prefer you to comment at In Contention. I know it's a bit confusing, but it's chattier over there!
Lisa
December 14, 2011 at 7:47PM EST Reply to CommentGlaring omission: "Out of Africa." How could "Falling in Love" be in this list when "Out of Africa" is not?
Becky I love the scene in this movie where Streep pretends to be sniffing antihisterime or some other drug for her sinus problem.
December 15, 2011 at 1:11AM ESTThis is a much richer performance than the similar Erin Bronkovich.
Guy Lodge
December 15, 2011 at 8:58AM EST Reply to CommentThanks for the comments, guys. Once again, I've pasted them over at the original post at In Contention, where the conversation is going on. Please leave comments there in future. :)
TJ
December 15, 2011 at 11:30AM EST Reply to CommentIt would be hard to pick her best performance. I think that here scene in Ironweed where she sings "He's Me Pal" is definitely one of the best moments. A Cry in the Dark was fantastic, and she was completely overlooked for her work in The Hours.
Sonja
December 16, 2011 at 2:52PM EST Reply to CommentI think I'm a real fan girl for Meryl. I never thought that would come at my age.
Her movies might not be masterpueces, we all know and can argue that to death, but even the "medicore" movies are watchable because of her.
Anyway, a nice list and I liked all of the listed performances.
Definitely a masterpiece is Adaptation. It had everything. Funny, dramatic and surreal moments. Gosh, I so wished she has won for that! But I understand Catherine Zeta-Jones won for the more showy performance.
I love her so much in Death becomes her. It's pure comedy gold, every scene and really every line she had. "NOW a warning???"
It's impossible for her to top Sophie's choice. The scene in the KZ just burns into your memory and will never get out. She HAD to win for that. She had to.
A performance that came at least a bit close was A Cry in the Dark. I'm glad she won in Cannes.
Miranda Priestly in The Devil wears Prada is such an iconic role, I can't help to admire her. The best dramatic role in the 90's was Bridges of Madison County for sure.
And I like her in films that got nostly negative reviews, like Defending your Life (although it's her 2nd highest raited movie on RT!) or Heartburn.
She's also a wonderful singer. I don't want to extent that further out, but I simply love ALL the scenes in movies where she sang.
If she would make an album, I'd buy it immediately.
I think that's enough for praising her. I'd love to see her winning the big O one day, but if it's all there is, it's fine. It's far more than most actresses have these days. I can understand why people are fed up with her still getting attention everytime, but it's not all her fault. The only thing she does is filming a movie, no more, no less.
LuLu
December 20, 2011 at 1:46PM EST Reply to CommentWhere is Out of Africa or The Bridges of Madison County or Plenty or A Cry in the Dark?!So many brilliant movies were left out.I realize that not many have seen A Cry in the Dark but if it's not on then list than the list is shit!She was never more brilliant than when she played Lindy Chamberlain,I'd even say it was better than Sophie.This guy obviously doesn't know his Meryl Streep movies.
Homer
December 27, 2011 at 5:51PM EST Reply to Comment"Ironweed" will turn 25 in 2012 and still takes my breath away, mainly due to Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Tom Waits performances. I really appreciated your top 10 list, but would like to highlight this particular Hector Babenco jewel.