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Movies & TV

Meryl Streep’s best moments

Whole performances by Meryl Streep, like in Sophie’s Choice or The Iron Lady, are spectacular. But when looking at Streep in a role, the key is often in the details. Here are a few of her smaller gestures that make a big impact.

KRAMER Vs. KRAMER (1979) As the mother who abandons her son Billy and husband Ted (Dustin Hoffman), she returns to tell Ted she now wants custody of her son, prompting an outraged Ted to sweep his glass of wine off the table so that it crashes against the wall. Her terrified reaction – she literally jumps out of her chair – is awesome.

OUT OF AFRICA (1985) Just watch the ecstatic look on her face as Robert Redford washes her hair.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (1995) Sexually awakened by her encounter with a visiting photographer (Clint Eastwood), she runs her hands over her nude body while standing in front of the mirror. As an artist, she’s obviously not the least bothered that her body doesn’t conform to the conventional standards of beauty imposed on female screen performers.

ADAPTATION (2002) After snorting some happy powder – relating to the much sought-after orchid – she wiggles her toes to express her delight. Streep doing lines – who could have imagined?

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (2004) As the baddie mother of a manipulated soldier, she expresses her displeasure by crushing a cube of ice between her teeth. Scary.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2004) In a terrific montage where she arrives at her office throwing a different coat onto Anne Hathaway’s desk each day, she delivers lines like, “Where is that piece of paper I had in my hand yesterday morning?”

MAMMA MIA! (2008) At the end of The Winner Takes It All, she bunches up her red scarf in distress, then trails it behind her as she runs up the mountain – her idea.

JULIA & JULIA (2009) As her husband, played by Stanley Tucci, expresses his love for her at a dinner party, as Julia Child, she makes the paper heart he’s given her pulsate with her hand – also her idea.

What are your favourite Meryl Streep moments?

Interview: Meryl Streep

Movie Review: The Iron Lady

Movie Feature: The real-life meaning of Thatcherism

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