July 1, 2008

Random Musing: Meryl Streep


Meryl Streep is well-known as perhaps the greatest modern actress. Her method acting and believable characters have garnered the attention of film critics and Academy voters for years, but oddly, with a record fourteen Oscar nominations (in leading and supporting roles), Meryl Streep has only nabbed two awards. Two? Out of fourteen? How is it that this talented actress has only gotten two awards? This is not to say that the Oscars just hand out awards to their favorites over and over (even Kate Hepburn only got four for acting, and that is the most in history!). I just think that it is interesting that after fourteen nominations, Streep has only achieved two wins, and even those were early in her career. The following is Streep's lengthy Oscar track record:

1978 (51st) ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- The Deer Hunter {"Linda"}
1979 (52nd) ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- Kramer vs. Kramer {"Joanna Kramer"}
1981 (54th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- The French Lieutenant's Woman {"Sara Woodruff/Anna"}
1982 (55th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Sophie's Choice {"Sophie"}
1983 (56th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Silkwood {"Karen Silkwood"}
1985 (58th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Out of Africa {"Karen"}
1987 (60th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Ironweed {"Helen"}
1988 (61st) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- A Cry in the Dark {"Lindy"}
1990 (63rd) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Postcards from the Edge {"Suzanne Vale"}
1995 (68th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- The Bridges of Madison County {"Francesca Johnson"}
1998 (71st) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- One True Thing {"Kate Gulden"}
1999 (72nd) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Music of the Heart {"Roberta Guaspari"}
2002 (75th) ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- adaptation. {"Susan Orlean"}
2006 (79th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- The Devil Wears Prada {"Miranda Priestly"}
Since 1982, Streep has seen about twenty-five Oscar seasons and has been nominated in ten of those annual ceremonies. Why is it that she has not been rewarded with another award since? It might be best to see who was awarded.
In 1978, her first nomination was eclipsed by the acting of Maggie Smith in "California Suite." In 1981, her role in "The French Lieutenant's Woman" was superseded by the great Katharine Hepburn in "On Golden Pond." (I have seen that film (one of my favorites), and the award was deservedly given to the legend.) But after Streep's win in 1982 for her powerful role in "Sophie's Choice," this is where she has been beaten at every turn:
1983 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Shirley MacLaine -- Terms of Endearment {"Aurora Greenway"}
1985 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Geraldine Page -- The Trip to Bountiful {"Mrs. Watts"}
1987 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Cher -- Moonstruck {"Loretta Castorini"}
1988 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Jodie Foster -- The Accused {"Sarah Tobias"}
1990 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Kathy Bates -- Misery {"Annie Wilkes"}
1995 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Susan Sarandon -- Dead Man Walking {"Sister Helen Prejean"}
1998 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Gwyneth Paltrow -- Shakespeare in Love {"Viola De Lesseps"}
1999 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Hilary Swank -- Boys Don't Cry {"Brandon Teena/Teena Brandon"}
2002 ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- Catherine Zeta-Jones -- Chicago {"Velma Kelly"}
2006 ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- Helen Mirren -- The Queen {"The Queen"}
So ultimately, Streep has just been prevented from winning again by some tough competition---actresses ranging from rising stars to aged legends, all in memorable roles. However, this does not diminish Streep's acting power in the least, and her nominations certainly prove her formidable value. Maybe one day she will be clutching that third award (if not another acting award, then a probable honorary award), but until then, she can at least reflect on her considerable nominations.

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