Just when it seems as if pundits and critics alike have run out of fresh things to say in praise of Meryl Streep, A.O. Scott comes along with this beautifully written valentine to Oscar’s favorite actor.
The piece essentially amounts to the longest, most eloquent For Your Consideration ad of the season, but even I — a relative agnostic on the merits of the master’s performance in “Julie & Julia” (more on that in the Film Experience’s Oscar Symposium later today) — was given pause by this very intelligent argument in its favor:
[T]hese days impersonation is the province of every aspiring biopic star. Ms. Streep’s Julia Child is never anything other than a performance, a fusion of two strong personalities rather than the absorption by one into another. You never forget that you are watching Meryl Streep inhabiting a version of Julia Child, and instead of distracting you from the truth of Julia, this awareness is what enables you to understand her. It is our familiarity with Ms. Streep that makes her exploration of a more private Julia Child both credible and exhilarating. Similarly in her frequent forays into the world of cinematic statecraft, she can be an entirely convincing senator or cabinet secretary while still being, in every syllable and flourish, Meryl Streep.
Plenty of other quotable passages in the article, but the actress’s legions of devotees will be better off reading and savoring every word. Enjoy.
Comments
12 responses to “A.O. Scott celebrates Meryl Streep”
So many deserving actresses this year: Streep, Sidibe, Mulligan, Mirren, who knows who’ll win?
Uh, the one you don’t mention.
Can’t sneak that one past us ;)
I came across this yesterday. Very fitting, especially for me at this time since I am one third my way through a “Merylthon” – watching 30 films from Streep’s 30+ year filmography (hopefully in 3 months).
I’m almost giving in to predicting Bullock on my ballot (even though I knew Meryl wasn’t front-runner when I had her). So sad because I really think she has grown so much as an actor after her wins for Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer. She has turned in a handful of equally worthy performances since then, and that includes Julie and Julia.
Meryl should win this year, I have a feeling she will.
A-Okay with me.
I’ll admit it wasn’t very sneaky Guy.
I have a feeling that despite the media humdrum about the one nominee Fitz didn’t mention, Meryl Streep will win this year… I just feel it… Hope I’m correct.. ;)
Meryl should have won the Oscar for her outstanding performances in Bridges of Madison County (lost to Susan Sarandon), One True Thing (lost to Gwyneth Paltrow) and for The Hours (she wasn’t nominated in that year)! This year, i think, she will lost to Sandra Bullock!
Will win: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
Could win: Carey Mulligan – An Education
Gabourey Sidibe – Precious
Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia
I dread the moment when Sandra Bullock’s name will be called to collect the Oscar. *shakes head*
It’s a long shot, but I hope for a Carey Mulligan upset.
I also hope she wins. She deserves it.
The gushing of support for Bullock might finally end when envelope is opened and Meryl Streep is named Best Actress, as she should be. Gut feeling, hope I am right.
Oh, this tidbit makes my heart flutter. Off to read the rest of the article.