The Meryl Streep Hall of Fame
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In this three-part special episode of 'The Big Picture,' hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins embark on a comprehensive celebration of Meryl Streep's legendary film career, culminating in the creation of a definitive 'Hall of Fame' list. The episode traces Streep’s evolution from a critically acclaimed character actor in the late 1970s and 1980s—highlighted by transformative performances in *The Deer Hunter*, *Kramer vs. Kramer*, and *Sophie's Choice*—to a global icon whose range spans dramatic intensity, comedic brilliance, and genre experimentation. The hosts explore her unparalleled commitment to transformation through accents, physicality, and emotional authenticity, while grappling with the challenge of curating a select list from her vast 65-film filmography. They evaluate key works from the 1990s through the 2010s, assigning films colors based on their Hall of Fame potential, ultimately settling on nine green selections and two personal favorites. The journey includes candid reflections on underappreciated gems like *Ricky and the Flash* and *Heartburn*, as well as bold career pivots in *The Devil Wears Prada*, *Adaptation*, and *Postcards from the Edge*.
Meryl Streep’s career is defined by her unmatched range, emotional depth, and transformative performances across six decades of cinema.
Her early 1980s work—especially *Silkwood*, *Sophie's Choice*, and *A Cry in the Dark*—forms the foundational core of her Hall of Fame legacy.
Streep’s later career showcases fearless reinvention, embracing comedy, genre-bending roles, and cultural phenomena like *The Devil Wears Prada* and *Adaptation*.
The final Hall of Fame list balances critical acclaim with personal resonance, highlighting films that are both iconic and emotionally significant.
Despite her massive influence, many of Streep’s films remain underseen or underappreciated, underscoring the difficulty of capturing her full cinematic impact.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing the Meryl Streep Hall of Fame
“She just kind of has everything. She's the total toolkit when it comes to a movie actress.”
The Early Career: From *Julia* to *Kramer vs. Kramer*
The hosts dive into Streep’s formative years, beginning with her early film roles like *Julia* (1977) and *The Deer Hunter* (1978), and tracing her rise through emotionally intense performances in *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979). They reflect on her personal life during this period, including her relationship with John Cazale, and analyze how these films laid the foundation for her reputation as a fearless, transformative actor.
The 1980s: Mastery of Morality and Transformation
“She doesn't try to win you over. She doesn't try to soften what you, the audience, are thinking or feeling.”
Death Becomes Her and the 1992 Spectacle
The hosts discuss Meryl Streep’s role in the 1992 sci-fi satire *Death Becomes Her*, praising its visual effects and campy energy, though acknowledging its absurdity and mixed reception. They agree it’s a cult classic with personal significance.
The House of the Spirits: A Misfire
The hosts critique the 1993 adaptation of Isabel Allende’s novel, calling it a 'fiasco' due to casting issues, dubbing, and a lack of authenticity. They agree it doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame.
“If the Joni Mitchell film is great and is like a capstone on her career, then you get greatness in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.”
“She just kind of has everything. She's the total toolkit when it comes to a movie actress.”
“She doesn't try to win you over. She doesn't try to soften what you, the audience, are thinking or feeling.”
Hosts
meryl streep
person
sean fennessey
person
amanda dobbs
person
cannes film festival
other
sophie's choice
media
the devil wears prada 2
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kramer vs. kramer
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the river wild
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The Bridges of Madison County
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Death Becomes Her
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