Meryl Streep has often been described as the greatest living actress. In an era notable for a lack of truly great female acting talent, she has definitely been at the top. Nominated for an incredible 19 Oscars and winner of 3, Meryl Streep has enjoyed an exceptionally broad career. She is nothing if not a perfectionist and has a gift for accents. Here is our ranking of her top 5 movies currently streaming on Netflix.
5. Evening 2007
With a really strong cast, Evening is very much a chick flick. It’s a drama that explores the romantic and emotional past and present of Ann Grant and Constance and Nina her daughters. On her death bed she remembers the defining moments in her life 50 years ago and relates them to Constance and Nina. There are wonderfully touching moments and some nice comedy with plenty of substance in between.
4. Music of the Heart – 1999
Music of the Heart is a true story of a young teacher in a fight to teach music to underprivileged kids in a Harlem school. Her struggle costs her everything as the system beats her down. But her determination for the kids happiness helps her fight back with happy ending results. The message that music education is important is repeated it over and over; slightly tiresome perhaps. Nevertheless, the kids in the movie are endearing and it’s well worth a watch.
3. August: Osage County – 2013
August: Osage County is about a cruel and unhappy family people shouting at each. Violet Weston (Meryl Streep) has cancer and a drugs and alcohol problem. A tragedy causes friction and and the family secrets start to come out. Violet and her daughters are forced, unwillingly, to explore themselves and their lives in the sweltering heat of August. There’s no huge depth or storyline in this movie but the acting is excellent.
2. Julia – 1977
Julia is the loosely biographical story of Lillian Hellmand and her relationship with and love for Julia. It was Meryl Streeps first movie role and the movie collect three Oscars. Julia asks Lillian to smuggle money through Nazi Germany to help in the Anti-Fascist cause, a dangerous mission for a Jewish intellectual on her way to communist Russia. The use of flashbacks, often a mess in movies, works really well and genuinely helps the story. Set during one of the darkest chapters of history thisis a deeply moving study of love and friendship.
1. Sophie’s Choice – 1982
Sophie’s Choice is, without doubt, one of Meryl Streeps finest movie performances and it won her the first of her three Oscars. Sophie has survived Nazi concentration camps and is now overwhelmed by demons that threaten her happiness. Her sense of conflict, compassion, duty and despair deliver a story that will leave you in awe. And, of course, it Streeps acting that bring this all to life. If you’ve never seen Sophie’s Choice, why not? If you have, you’ll understanf why we’re recommending you watch it again.
Others
Although we have only ranked our top 5 Meryl Streep movies on Netflix, there are 5 others that you might want to consider:
Marvins Room
Girl Rising
Shout Gladi Gladi
House of the Spirits
Wings of Life
