Few actresses keep audiences entertained like Meryl Streep. Since the 1980’s, Streep has become an icon in the film industry. Whether its Holocaust survivors, fashion managers or adaptive authors, Streep has portrayed several strong characters. Despite her age of retirement, Streep has never lost her commitment for making engaging entertainment. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed are my picks for the greatest films of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Kramer vs. Kramer
Divorce is a devastating process causing families to face remorse. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage that caused damage. I recall the painful incident in which she had a heated argument with her spouse that caused resentment. It was easier said than done for my aunt to move on following the heartbreaking separation. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the grim divorce process as powerfully as “Kramer v. Kramer”. Released in 1979, Meryl Streep’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of depicting dark divorce on the big-screen. In the greatest role of her career, Meryl Streep embodies a woman whose marriage faces despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most sensitive role. Streep has had a gift for conveying emotion by her expressions, and her strengths are evident in “Kramer v. Kramer”. For instance, the scene in which Joanna breaks down in tears in court discussing her broken marriage is the most emotional work the actress has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “Kramer v. Kramer” Meryl Streep’s greatest movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message resonating with everyone that has witnessed a broken marriage at an early age. As someone that witnessed divorce in my family, I felt the movie captured reality. A dark portrait of spouses facing a broken marriage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost ability to engage audiences manufacturing movies undeniably getting better with continuous age.
2. Adaptation
Writer’s block is a frustrating process causing authors to face stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the world than when ideas don’t spring to a writer’s mind. Personally speaking, writer’s block has affected my passion for writing. A source of stress, writer’s block has affected my abilities to achieve success. Few films I’ve seen have captured frustration of writer’s block as powerfully as “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie captured the hardships that authors facing writer’s block often go through. In the most meaningful role of her career, Meryl Streep embodies a famous female author affected by writer’s block that causes fear. Throughout the movie, Streep narrates her writer’s block through monologues that are engaging. For instance, the scene in which Susan high on drugs has a telephone conversation with a lover represents one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” one of Streep’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a powerful message about writer’s block resonating with anyone struggling to put ideas on a page. As someone impacted by writer’s block, I related to its message. A fantastic depiction of frustrated female authors penning an adaptation, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actress playing fierce characters facing failures whose movies are definitely worthy of tremendous celebration.
3. The Devil Wears Prada
Bosses are powerful figures that shape employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that would often treat employees in a poor manner. She was a demanding person that would humiliate employees which showed up late. Nevertheless, her uncompromising nature ensured her organization’s success rather than failure. As someone reminiscing memories of a devilish manager with nostalgia, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured a devilish manager running a fashion company. In the most iconic role of her career, Meryl Streep embodies a cruel manager that doesn’t care about treating employees in ways that are fair. With Miranda Priestley, Streep created one of the most iconic bosses in cinematic history. Streep captures the demanding personality of a devilish fashion editor through strong body language. For instance, the scene in which Miranda humiliates Andy for wearing a blue shade dress in front of everyone showcases the actress’ strengths. Ultimately, what makes “The Devil Wears Prada” one of Streep’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a poignant message about bosses with which everyone would relate. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost capabilities to consistently shine.
4. The Deer Hunter
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud battle sequences, cartoonish characters and lacklustre storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. That being said, “The Deer Hunter” is an exception. Released in 1978, Michael Cimino’s movie remains one of the greatest war movies ever made. One of the major reasons why the film is considered a classic today is because of Meryl Streep. In the most emotional role of her career, Streep embodies the wife of a war veteran facing a burden to bear. In most war movies, women are often limited to being background characters without strong personalities. War movies commonly focus on strong male soldiers giving little room for women to shine. However, Streep created a strong female character through her presence. For instance, the scene where Linda comforts Michael after he comes home from the Vietnam War showcases the actress’ strong screen presence. Ultimately, what makes “The Deer Hunter” a great war movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message which would resonate with everyone that has faced trauma at an early age. Nearly 60 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress that thrives playing complicated characters whose movies deserve to be absolutely celebrated.
5. Sophie’s Choice
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has struggled to capture a genocide in history that’s misunderstood. No matter how hard they have tried, filmmakers have struggled to depict a genocide in which people died. Movies rarely ever manage to capture the harsh reality of a mass genocide in history. However, “Sophie’s Choice” is an exception. Released in 1982, Meryl Streep’s Oscar-winning movie did an excellent job capturing Polish immigrants in the Holocaust. In the most emotionally demanding role of her career, Meryl Streep embodies a woman struggling to survive a genocide causing despair. It’s a role giving the actress an opportunity to showcase emotions through expressions rather than words. For instance, the scene in which Sophie is asked to decide which one of her children will be spared by a Nazi officer showcases Streep’s strengths as an actress. Ultimately, what makes “Sophie’s Choice” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a hopeful message about a genocide in which some individuals survived through courage. Nearly 90 years after a genocide in which people died, it’s a rousing reminder of an actress with strong pride whose memorable movies leave audiences commonly teary-eyed.
6. The Bridges of Madison County
Not many directors in Hollywood are as beloved as Clint Eastwood. Ever since the 1950’s, Eastwood has become an icon in the film industry. With compelling characters, timely themes and poignant messages, Eastwood’s movies have stood the test of time as classics. In 1995, Eastwood collaborated with Meryl Streep for the first time in his movie “The Bridges of Madison County”. A remarkable romantic drama, it gave Meryl Streep a chance to showcase charisma. In her most romantic role, Streep embodies an Italian bride falling in love with a photographer. Sharing spectacular chemistry with Eastwood who is also excellent, Streep creates a believable romance. As beautiful as the bridges of Madison County, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that excels playing romantic women in movies audiences regard commonly highly.
7. The Hours
Few books ever written about female writers are as beloved as The Hours. Since its publication in 1998, Michael Cunningham’s book has become a literary classic that audiences appreciate. In 2002, Meryl Streep celebrated the book about women writing over many hours in her movie “The Hours”. In the most compassionate role of his career, Streep portrayed a depressed woman facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Streep honoured an iconic book about female writers. A spectacular adaptation of a celebrated book about writers committing suicide, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies which have always left audiences commonly satisfied.
8. Julie & Julia
Lifelong love for cooking has always run in my family. I grew up to treasure a mother pursuing dreams to become a famous baker. Nobody could ever bake a cake like my mother did without making a mistake. A captivating cook, she loved recording her recipes in a book. As someone reminiscing memories of a mother that loved cooking with nostalgia, I loved “Julie and Julia”. Released in 2009, Meryl Streep’s movie captured the life of a female chef with love for cooking. In her most delicious role, Meryl Streep embodies a chef creating dishes that are precious. Working alongside Amy Adams who is also excellent, Streep embodies a chef with commitment. A captivating tribute to a real-life female chef with a love for cooking, it’s a compelling reminder of an actress that thrives playing enthusiastic women whose movies are worth absolutely celebrating.
9. Little Women
Little Women is a legendary book about women earning recognition. Ever since it was first published in 1868, Louisa Mary Alcott’s story has become a literary classic. With its timeless themes of sisterhood, independence and women’s rights, the book is celebrated literature. In 2019, Meryl Streep did a magnificent job of adapting the classic book to the big-screen in her film “Little Women”. Although she only has a short role, Streep steals the show. As Aunt March, she brings wisdom to a woman that’s so much more than a side character. It’s a role giving the actress an opportunity to showcase her strong presence. A lovely tribute towards a legendary novel about women that are powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that thrives playing strong supporting roles in movies audiences consider to be extremely special.
10. Mamma Mia!
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway play on the big-screen. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. Due to notable differences between the two mediums, most musicals aren’t intended to be made into movies. However, “Mamma Mia!” is an exception. Released in 2008, Meryl Streep’s movie did an excellent job of adapting a classic stage musical on the big-screen. In her first ever musical role, Streep embodies the joyous spirit of a Greek mother. It’s a fun role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase skills for acting, dancing and composing melodies. Nearly 30 years following the creation of an iconic Broadway play about dancing queens that blew audiences away, it’s a dazzling reminder about an actress that thrives given opportunities to play complex characters whose movies I will forever treasure passionately today.
The Film Buff 