As we prepate to close 2019 and saddle our horses for a new decade, I thought about the Streep performance that has left the biggest impression on me this past decade? The rather surprising answer: There’s none. There have great performances in not-so-great films and some oddballs that have been long forgotten (Ricki and the Flash anybody?). The film industry has changed much more rapidly than it did in the 2000s, and although Meryl Streep made 14 films plus one tv series this decade, the availability of great content and memorable roles in cinema declines. So, which roles have stood out these last 10 years? Have a look at my (very opinionated) rundown of Streep’s top 5 performances:
Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” (2011)
Sad news today. A spokeswoman for the family of Misty Upham has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that actress Misty Upham, who was first reported missing on Oct. 6, has been found dead. The Hollywood Reporter has obtained a comment from Meryl Streep, who co-starred with Upham in “August”: “So so sad to hear this news — all our thoughts are with her family and with her beautiful spirit.” Melissa Leo, whose character collaborated with Upham’s to smuggle illegal immigrants from Canada into America in Frozen River, wrote, “Such a loss… so sad, so so sad. I hope to that her talent is remembered more than any troubles we surely will never understand. She was a smart, delightful actor, a spirit wild and hungry. I know I and others are honored to have had Misty in our lives.”
“August: Osage County” has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray today in the USA. If you haven’t seen it yet, or want to revisit Meryl’s latest Oscar-nominated performance, be sure to grab your copy. Screencaptures from the Blu-Ray have been added to the image library with many thanks to Lindsey.
Three more videos have been added to the video archive. There’s a behind-the-scenes look at Jimmy Kimmel’s Academy Awards Special, featuring interviews with Meryl, Tom Hanks, Christoph Waltz, Gary Oldman and many more. Then, there are two videos from the “August: Osage County” promotion in Paris, including the film’s premiere and the full press conference. Many thanks to Tena for the heads-up on the Kimmel clip. Enjoy watching.
Many thanks to Beatrice for bringing this to my attention: During her visit in France to promote “August: Osage County”, Meryl Streep attended the French television show 20h Week-End to talk about the film and the Oscars. It’s a pretty bumpy interview, maybe because of its editing and the translation – and I still don’t understand the lenghty Maria Callas clip. But see for yourself. The full interview can be watched in the video archive. Captures have been added to the image library.
Yesterday, Meryl Streep and John Wells have attended the Paris premiere for “August: Osage County”. Meryl talked to Associated Press about the film and her recent Oscar nomination. “”I saw the play seven years ago. I remember it hit all of us like a freight train … I was entranced, it made me laugh and it shocked me”. Streep said actors were supposed to relish playing difficult characters but that the “reality is that where it begins, where it emanates from is a very unpleasant place.”
“She has cancer in her mouth. She chooses to smoke constantly in the face of that, she has chemotherapy … she’s a drug addict … it’s all a toxic mix, a nasty place to live.” But she added that it was also liberating “to play a person who says exactly what she thinks, never with a cover, never, never being nice, no thought of diplomacy. So that’s a wonderful free feeling”. Streep said she was thrilled at the Oscar nomination and that people were “still willing to look at my work and to look at it fresh”. “That is the most unbelievable thing, that they are not tired of me yet or of my work so I’m very happy about that. Very gratified,” she said.”
Yesterday, Meryl Streep attended Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote “August: Osage County”. As a change to the recent ones, this is a rather lenghty and informative interview. Besides “August” and living in a condo with her co-stars while filming, they talk about Paul McCartney’s “Queenie Eye” music video, Meryl’s visit to the Beatles concert in the 1960s.
The full interview can be watched in the video archive. HD screencaptures have been added to the gallery. In other news, Meryl has been announced among the presenters for Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, so we’ll see her on stage, winning or not. Also, expect more updates after tonight’s Critics Choice Awards. Edit: Many thanks to Claudia for sending in some fantastic pictures from the taping of the show.
Congratulations to Meryl Streep for receiving her 18th Oscar nomination as Best Actress for “August: Osage County”. This is a great surprise since a nomination didn’t seem to be certain this year. Most “experts” saw four spots of the Best Actress category a lock and the fifth place up for grab between Meryl and Amy Adams. In the end, both Streep and Adams have received a nomination, alongside Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity) and Judi Dench (Philomena). Emma Thompson, who has tipped a favorite, has missed out a nomination. Julia Roberts has also received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for “August: Osage County”. The 86th Academy Awards will be handed out on March 2, 2014. Entertainment Tonight has released Meryl’s reaction to her 18th Oscar nomination:
I am so happy for our film that Julia and I have been nominated. We are both so proud of August: Osage County. This honor from the Academy, for which we are truly grateful, will help bring attention to our film from audiences across the country, which is thrilling.
Great news from the talkshows circuit. Tonight, Meryl will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live (11:35/10:35c on ABC) to talk about “August: Osage County” and on Monday, she’ll be attending the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Tomorrow will be a busy day as well – the Academy Award nominations are announced and the Critics Choice Movie Awards take place. So, check back for more updates tomorrow.
First of all, a couple of additional pictures and screencaptures from the Golden Globes have been added. Then today, Meryl and the cast of “August: Osage County” has attended a Q&A at the SAG Foundation. The cast has received a SAG nomination as Outsanding Ensemble. Pictures from the Q&A have been added to the gallery. The video will be added as soon as it becomes available.