MovieChat Forums > Meryl Streep Discussion > Most over-rated actress of all-time.

Most over-rated actress of all-time.


Blasphemy here on the Meryl Streep page, but where else can I engage others who, no doubt, feel so strongly about her.

Streep is the epitome of our culture: flash and no substance. (horror!) Yes, that's right, I said, "No substance." You can SEE her acting every moment on the damn screen. She has her moments, no doubt. She is not completely without talent. But is she the "greatest actress of all time."? Not even close.

She can't do comedy. What is WORSE, than watching her do comedy? What is more painful? I would rather remove my own gall bladder with an oyster fork than watch another minute of her doing comedy.

Her drama is one note. Then the same note again. Then again, and again, and again. In other words, she has a range from A to B.

I don't know how this all started, this "Streep Worship" -- oh, yes, I do. Sophie's Choice. The film had such an emotional impact that we overlooked her superficiality and believed it was HER that was making us feel horror, rather than coming from ourselves at the characters plight. Then we ascribed it to her acting, of all the absurdities.

Okay, let me have it. Bring it on!

No personal attacks, please. Keep it polite and technical.

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I personally believe there is not such thing as an overrated actor/actress! I think that the accolades that every actor has received including Meryl are well deserving and it's the result of talent hard work and good choices! Meryl is talented,she works very hard and she chooses her parts wisely! There might be an actress more talented that Streep who doesn't have the other characteristics! Maybe she doesn't work hard or her choices are not so good! Or there might be and actress less talented than Meryl who will work harder and make even better choices in the future , and she will be reckoned as a better actress than Streep! The only actress I find overrating is gwyneth Paltrow! Luckily her good looks really helped her!

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And the only reason I'm using "the overrated actress" thing is to follow the conversation correctly! As I mentioned I don't like this characterization

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I agree. Her performances in comedy are terrible, from the dreadful She-Devil to Julie and Julia, which was truly AWFUL. I can't bring myself to watch any more recent "comedies" she might have made, though I did suffer through Into the Woods. How exceptional that role would have been in the hands of a superior singer/actress.

I believe the Academy just throws nominations her way.

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Meryl Streep has won numerous awards, has received critical acclaim and she has broken records. Her success is unprecedented. People love her. So, as you are part of such a minority, have you ever thought that YOU are wrong ? That Meryl's acting is actually masterful but you just can't see it this way ? There are so few critics, people of the business (actors, directors, producers) and people in general that agree with you. So it seems very very possible that you have the problem.

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No one is wrong to find her overrated. Are you not able to accept that some may not enjoy your beloved Streep? Yes, because the majority ALWAYS reflects the correct opinion, right? Popular opinion must never be questioned.

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It's ok not to like Meryl Streep. It's another thing to call her overrated - it's like saying that you don't like Meryl Streep and that everyone is wrong liking her. Also popular opinion is what regular people think. Regular people do like Meryl Streep but the critics, who know about acting and the movie business in general,also like her. So both regular people and people who know the craft and think out-of-the-box like her. So I was hoping that that fact would make you reconsider your opinion - but you didn't even figure that out.

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