AYA * Meryl Streep is probably the most
famous and decorated actresses. She is the ultimate definition of an Oscars Leading Lady
with 21 Oscar nominations and in those 21 she has won 3 Oscars. One supporting actress
and two best actress. She is Hollywood royalty, she is highly respected and in demand. But this
respect was not so evident in her early career when producers would claim her unattractive.
But with her obvious passion for performance and determination, Meryl Streep is a cinematic icon.*
AYA We can spend hours talking about
all of her achievements and films but the mission of Oscars leading Ladies is to highlight their
life journey, their most prominent career moves and what makes them so special.
AYA Not quite invested in performing
arts in school, Meryl Streep realized her potential in college.
Her extensive work on stage during her college years made her proficient in memorizing lines,
doing various accents and singing. AYA
Streep made her Broadway debut in 1975, at the age of 26,
in Trelawny of the “Wells.” Two years later she made her film debut opposite Jane Fonda,
who I've covered before, in Julia. AYA
But it was the gritty Michael Cimino directorial called Deer Hunter
where Meryl showed her ability to play emotional and deep roles.
(MORE) AYA (CONT'D)
Although the role was minor, Meryl illuminated the male dominated cast which included
Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and her then reali life boyfriend John Cazale, who was already
terminally ill with cancer. She decided to take on this role to be close to Cazale. This was in 1978.
AYA Streep was now building her
reputation of being a worthy actress in the late 70s, early 80s. She starred in
Woody Allen’s Manhattan, The Seduction Of Joe Tynan and off course Kramer Vs Kramer.
AYA * Kramer vs Kramer obviously
brought a lot of attention to Streep. The film themes were focused on topics of gender roles,
divorce, conflicting parents and relationships. It was the highest grossing film of 1979.
And in 1980, the film won many major Oscars which included Meryl wining her one and only
Best Supporting Actress Oscar.* AYA
Three years later she won the best actress Oscar for her role in Sophie’s Choice.
Probably her most celebrated role to this day. The heart wrenching story was Meryl Streep’s triumph.
AYA As the years went by Meryl managed
to get married, have children on top of her ever-growing list of fantastically
memorable and diverse roles. Her no frills attitude towards conveying the emotional range of
a character while transforming on screen was her signature. If you wanted your film to be a hit,
then hire Meryl Streep. Films like Silkwood, Falling in Love and Out Of Africa showed
this range. 2.
AYA But by the early 90’s Streep wanted
to convey that her range can be extended to more comedic and absurd roles like She Devil,
Death Becomes Her and Postcards From The Edge. AYA
More movies followed in the mid 90s to early 2000s like The Bridges oF Madison
Country, Music Of The Heart and The Hours. AYA
But it was in 2006 that Streep renewed her image of a strong female character
to attract modern, more younger audiences who were not too familiar with her older work.
Devil Wears Prada. Her character is unforgettable, in your face type of boss woman.
AYA Streep’s succession of diverse film
roles proved her versatility regardless of her age. In films like Mama Mia!,
Doubt and Julie And Julia. Proving that she will never be pigeon holed.
AYA In 2012, Streep won her second best
actress Oscar for her uncanny rendering of Margaret Thatcher in Iron Lady.
More film roles followed like Its Complicated, The Post, August: Osage County,
Into The Woods and Suffragette. Her most recent works are in The Laundromat and Little Women.
AYA Meryl Streep has done TV
sporadically, her most recent TV role was in Big Little Lies.
Same goes for theatre that goes back to the mid to late 70s where she really embraced the stage
before taking on film. 3.
AYA Some can claim Meryl Streep is a
living legend, some may argue that she is overrated. But what is undeniable is her choice of
performances. I don't think there is anyone else that can match her extensive list of successful
films as well as versatile roles. Her ability to create remarkable women on screen is most
admirable, especially when at times strong female roles were scarce, Meryl has the magic power to
project a strong female character. 4.