Meryl Streep is on her fifteenth Oscar nomination. She’s only won two Oscars out of fifteen possibilities, and she recently claimed that being invited to the party but not winning for 25 years sucked. So it comes as no surprise to me that Meryl is actively campaigning for an Oscar this year, for her lead role in Doubt.
She gave an interview to the UK’s Radio Times, and The Telegraph has the inside dish. Meryl talks about that most uncomfortable of subjects – aging in Hollywood. She also discusses Hollywood’s obsession with only making comedies that appeal to teenage boys or young, dating couples. That’s a subject Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman also discussed when they were promoting Last Chance Harvey.
[Meryl Streep] said she would encourage studios to make films for an older female audience. Women over 40 had been “disdained” by Hollywood boardrooms in the past, she said.
Streep, who will turn 60 in June, told the Radio Times that studios have been stuck in a rut of making movies to appeal to men and younger women who are dating.
“I think with the success of a few big pictures like Mamma Mia! addressing an audience that, never mind being neglected, have been disdained in the boardrooms, there will be other films that target that audience,” she said.
“Mamma Mia! is that rare thing you can enjoy with your mother or your child, and its aim is only to make you happy.”
The adaptation of the West End show based on Abba songs was last year’s biggest box office hit in the UK, pulling in more than £69 million.
Streep said her daughters had helped her to stop worrying about her appearance over the years.
“I wasted so many years thinking I wasn’t pretty enough and why didn’t I have Jessica Lange’s body or someone else’s legs? What a waste of time,” she said.
“Now I’m enjoying the tatters of what’s left and I’m very happy. Part of it is having beautiful strong daughters and hearing them whine about what’s wrong with them. I’m like, ‘Shut up! You’re lovely!’”
Actresses in earlier generations were written off as soon as they hit 40, Streep said.
“At 48 you were getting out the shovel ready to go in … I’m out there on behalf of all the old broads and I’m proud to be there,” she said.
From The Telegraph
On behalf of all of the young(er) broads out there, we salute you, Meryl! All of this has really got me wondering what Meryl’s chances are at the Oscar. Everyone from film critics to producers had all assumed that Kate Winslet was the one shoo-in on Oscar night. But Meryl won the SAG Award, one of the best barometers of Oscar wins. And Meryl’s out there actively campaigning. It makes me think that Meryl will be winning something, on behalf of all “the old broads”.
Meryl Streep is shown at the SAG Awards on 1/25/09. Credit: WENN
Loved both performances, but hoping it’s a Meryl year.
What a great example she is … dedication to the full development of each character she portrays, good mom, mentor to women.
I’m rooting for Meryl. Much as I love Kate, she’ll have other chances and although I haven’t seen Doubt, people are raving about her performance. It’s pathetic though, her point about being put out to pasture.
Catherine Deneuve talked about this recently and acknowledged (wryly) that without her European career, she’d have sunk without trace in America. Yet here she is, at 66, still at the top of her game, incredibly busy and sought after. European cinema is far more inclusive and intelligent when it comes to older women, far more focus on ability and less on mindless people-pleasing. (Not incl. independent US cinema here, just the H/Wood machine.)
Mamma Mia was awful – except for the joy of watching the three “older” female leads dance and sing and generally have a wonderful time. I remember thinking that Meryl Streep had reached that kind of Zen place where she does what she wants and enjoys. I envy that kind of peace.
In the 90’s the indep movies were really indep. But now the Hollywood movie wigs have brought up all the little indep studios. So its getting harder and harder to find a movie without a big name star in it. Hollywood is killing it’s future for big money in the here and now. A movie like Slum dog would never had gotten made in Hollywood. 1. No big names staring in it. 2. The stars were new comers with little or no acting credits. Hollywood will spend 100 or 200 million on a Nicole Kidman or Tom Cruise flop. But won’t spend 30million on a no star movie. Good luck MS!
She’s right. In most movies the only role available to over-50 women is to be the grandma who dies. Or maybe has Alzheimer’s. There is no hint that older people have lives too.
She is awesome. Pure class.
I’m glad that Meryl Streep is still choosing her own roles and choosing them well. A lot of very talented older actresses seem to just give up and take whatever roles come along, and it’s kinda sad to watch (Diane Keaton is, unfortunately, one of the best examples).
I thought Mamma Mia! was delightful… with the one exception of Pierce Brosnan singing, lol. I adored Streep in it! Anyone who can ACT that well while singing “The Winner Takes It ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL” deserves an Oscar for ANYTHING she does!
Mrs meryl streep is awsome. I have seen 5 of her movies inc mamma mia. That was the most wonderful movie i have seen. Me and my daughter enjoyed it very much. That is how a mother and daughter relasionship is supose to be. Loving, caring, and to put her needs and happiness in front of yours. Mrs streep gives you another out look in live. I can surely say that she gives u a lot to think about. Her insperasion changed my live. For the better, and i thank u for every thing.
Meryl is a great actress and I like to watch her movies. She is very enjoyable actress and she deserved this award more than anyone else.