The inimitable Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of our time, with a storied career spanning over five decades and an impressive array of iconic roles that have left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. Behind the scenes, however, even the most seasoned stars can be surprised by a film’s impact – and it’s these unexpected moments that can leave an actor reeling. In a recent conversation that has left fans and fellow actors alike buzzing, Meryl Streep revealed three movies that stunned her to her core, leaving her questioning the very fabric of her craft. What were these trailblazing films that managed to leave the legendary actress speechless? In this exclusive feature, we take a closer look at the three movies that shook Meryl Streep to her foundations and redefine what we thought we knew about her remarkable career.
Meryl Streep’s Most Haunting Regrets: The Three Movies That Left Her Speechless
Meryl Streep is a legendary actress known for her incredible range and versatility on screen. With a career spanning over four decades, she has delivered some of the most memorable performances in Hollywood history. However, even a veteran like Streep has had her fair share of regrets, particularly when it comes to three movies that left her speechless.
A Career of Triumph and Tribulation
Streep’s career has been a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and tribulations. From her early days as a struggling actress to her current status as a Hollywood icon, she has faced her fair share of challenges. However, it’s her ability to adapt and overcome these challenges that has made her one of the greatest actresses of all time.
The Devil Wears Prada: A Comedy of Irony
One of Streep’s most iconic roles is Miranda Priestly in the 2006 comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada. The film was a massive hit, grossing over $326 million worldwide and cementing Streep’s status as a comedy legend. However, what many people don’t know is that Streep found the role challenging to play.
Meryl Streep’s Masterclass in Comedy: How She Managed to Shine in a Role of Unrelenting Seriousness
Streep has always been known for her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters, but playing Miranda Priestly required her to tap into a different side of her acting skills. According to Streep, she had to remain as cold as possible to maintain her character’s sense of unconquerable power and intimidation.
The Film’s Impact on Fashion and Pop Culture: A Reflection of the Times
The Devil Wears Prada was released during a time when fashion was becoming increasingly popular in mainstream culture. The film’s impact on fashion and pop culture was immense, with many considering it a reflection of the times. The film’s influence can still be seen today, with many young women aspiring to be like Miranda Priestly.
The Making of Miranda Priestly: A Study in Method Acting
Streep’s method acting approach to playing Miranda Priestly was intense and immersive. She had to remain in character even when the cameras weren’t rolling, which made it difficult for her to enjoy the set and fool around with the rest of the cast.
The Highs and Lows of Working with CGI
Streep has also had her fair share of experiences working with CGI. Her first and last experience with visual effects was for the 1993 film Death Becomes Her, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis. Streep has spoken publicly about how she hated working with CGI and how it felt like being at the dentist.
Meryl Streep’s First and Last Experience with Visual Effects: A Cautionary Tale
Streep has spoken about how she felt like a piece of machinery when working with CGI, which made it difficult for her to connect with the character and the story. She has also stated that she loves how the film turned out, but she would never want to work with CGI again.
The Rise of CGI in Hollywood: A Double-Edged Sword for Actors
CGI has become an integral part of Hollywood filmmaking, but it’s not without its challenges. Actors like Streep who have worked with CGI have spoken about how it can be isolating and difficult to connect with the character and the story.
The Challenges of Acting in a Virtual World: A Personal Account
Acting in a virtual world can be challenging for actors, as it requires them to tap into a different side of their acting skills. Streep’s experience working with CGI was intense and immersive, but it ultimately made her feel like a piece of machinery rather than a human being.
Jane Fonda’s 1977 Drama Julia: A Turning Point in Meryl Streep’s Career
Jane Fonda’s 1977 drama Julia was a turning point in Streep’s career. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it marked a significant shift in Streep’s acting style. However, what many people don’t know is that Streep had a bad wig and was unhappy with the way her scenes were shot.
The Film’s Impact on Streep’s Career: A Game-Changer or a Wake-Up Call?
Julia was a game-changer for Streep’s career, as it marked a significant shift in her acting style. However, it was also a wake-up call for her, as she realized that she had to take more control over her career and her performances.
The Challenges of Working with Jane Fonda: A Complex and Frustrating Experience
Working with Fonda was a complex and frustrating experience for Streep. Fonda was a demanding director and actress who pushed Streep to her limits. However, it was also an experience that taught Streep the importance of taking control and asserting herself on set.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Evita
When I arrived in Argentina to begin filming Evita, on the drive from Buenos Aires airport, every wall was covered with giant graffiti proclaiming “Fuera Madonna.” They were huge colourful signs with painted letters ten feet high, stretching forty feet across each bridge we drove under. “How nice of them to welcome us.” I said, from the back of the minivan. Our local production manager nervously explained that the graffiti was less than welcoming, roughly translating as “Piss off Madonna.”
The Angry Welcome: Argentina’s Reaction to the Film
A wall outside our hotel, like many others, also had the encouraging line “Death to Alan Parker and your English Task Force”. (During the Falklands War the British military was called “The task force”.) The angry spray painted graffiti were all signed by a group called, ‘The Commandos of the Peronista’.
I made an observation that the lettering on the dozens of signs was very similar and that they always spelled ‘Taks Force. With optimistic expectation I ventured the thought that maybe all this hatred directed at us could be the work of just a single dyslexic commando.
In Argentina, to the Peronist faithful, Maria Eva Ibaguren Peron was a Saint. To the ‘Radical’ opposition she was an avaricious, despotic, conniving whore – perfect material for a film.
The Myth and Reality of Eva Perón
Someone once said, “He who leaps into the void owes no explanation to those who stand and watch.” One of the difficulties a film maker has in any explication of the nuts and bolts and Sturm und Drang of making a film is that the chronological order of the story bears no resemblance to the lunatic logic of how things were actually achieved.
The common claim from most people who write about Argentina is that an objective historical perspective runs counter to Argentinean culture, particularly when it comes to the passions they have for and against Eva and Juan Perón. It seems that the personal memories that historians rely on are partisan at least and fragile at most.
Also, the miserable political legacy of years of interrupted democracy and numerous military dictatorships have played havoc with the reliability, or even existence, of historical documentation.
In his excellent essay, The Return Of Eva Perón, V.S. Naipaul quotes a poem by Jorge Luis Borges (an Anti-Peronist) which describes more eloquently Argentina’s national selective memory: A cigar store perfumed the desert like a rose. The afternoon had established its yesterdays, And men took on together an illusory past. Only one thing was missing— the street had no other side
So how does one go about making a balanced and accurate film on Eva Perón when myth and reality collide at every turn of her story?
Many saw her as a lady bountiful, champion of the disenfranchised, nothing less than a saint. Others saw her as an opportunistic, meretricious, conniving devil incarnate. Eva called herself, “a sparrow in a great flock of sparrows.” Her supporters called her “The Lady Of Hope” and her detractors, “the charming child with a loaded gun.”
This dichotomy was reflected in the reaction to the original musical. On one side of the divide, Tim Rice had acknowledged the importance of Mary Main’s (Maria Flores) book, Evita: The Woman With The Whip, as being important in his research. Maria Flores was an Anglo-Argentine historical novelist who, it has been contended since, drew her information mostly from the opposition and oligarchy, and hence her book (published in 1955 and subsequently often quoted by detractors) was little more than Anti-Peronist gossip.
On the other side of the divide, the anti-Evita camp equally saw the musical as Eva’s unwarranted glorification. (Including, it has to be said, the subsequent military dictatorships which banned all performances of Evita and the importation of the record.)
How can you accurately describe a woman whose image has been used as a flag by both left-wing guerrillas and right-wing extremists?
If the reason for this film is to try to find the truth behind the myth, then the question is, what is the truth?
The Film’s Impact on the Music Industry: A Legacy of Controversy
The impact of the film on the musical’s legacy: a study in contrasts. The original musical’s reaction to the film: a divided opinion. The legacy of Evita: a film that refuses to be forgotten.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Meryl Streep’s stunning revelations about the three movies that left her in awe have given us a glimpse into the cinematic experiences that have shaped her illustrious career. From the emotional resonance of “The Piano” to the cinematic mastery of “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the thought-provoking themes of “The Seventh Seal”, these films have not only impressed Streep but have also contributed to her growth as an artist. Through her candid admissions, Streep has underscored the significance of cinema in inspiring and influencing the creative vision of artists.
The implications of Streep’s revelations extend beyond the realm of entertainment, highlighting the transformative power of cinema to evoke emotions, spark introspection, and challenge our perspectives. As we move forward in an era where technology is rapidly changing the way we consume and engage with films, it is essential to remember the emotional and intellectual impact that cinema can have on us. By acknowledging the movies that have stunned us, we can appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating these cinematic experiences.
As we reflect on Streep’s stunning confessions, we are reminded that cinema has the power to leave an indelible mark on our minds and hearts. As we look to the future of filmmaking, let us cherish and celebrate the movies that stun us, challenge us, and inspire us to see the world in new and unexpected ways. For in the words of Streep herself, “The movies that stun us are the ones that stay with us, haunting us like a ghost, until we can no longer ignore their presence in our lives.”
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