What Is Meryl Streep: The Greatest Actress Of Our Time?

The Greatest Actress of Our Time (and Arguably, Ever)

If you’ve seen a movie, chances are you know who Meryl Streep is. Seemingly a mainstay at every Oscar ceremony since 1978, the so-called Queen of Hollywood has miraculously avoided becoming a “Hollywood celebrity”. She’s never been caught in any scandals, and with a career spanning over 40 years, that’s saying something. It’s hard to imagine a time when we didn’t call her the Greatest Living Actress—but has it always been rainbows and butterflies for Meryl? I am credible to discuss this topic, as I am an avid film watcher and have been fascinated by Meryl’s acting ability for a long time. Meryl Streep is the greatest actress of our time, and arguably, ever—due in part to her impressive list of roles in television, film, and theatre, and to her seamless transitions from one vastly different genre to the next, but it hasn’t always been that easy for Meryl. Her climb to the top spans decades and encompasses over 60 films, both good and bad. Let’s start at the beginning of

The 1994 release of action-adventure-thriller The River Wild revived a frozen career and put Meryl back in the spotlight. A box office and critical success, the movie had all the components Meryl was known for, but was riveting and entertaining enough to be a fun night out. Audiences weren’t leaving the theater upset because they’d just watched a Polish mother choose between her two children in the Holocaust—it was Meryl’s first time in a successful movie that served as pure entertainment. In the years that followed, Meryl continued with successful movies. By the early 2000s, Meryl was by all accounts, once again the reigning Queen of Hollywood. The 2000s blessed us with the release of The Devil Wears Prada, Julie and Julia, and Mamma Mia! This success continued into the 2010s, with Florence Foster Jenkins, August: Osage County, Hope Springs, and Into the