Agree about the play. It has not aged well at all.
Love Meryl, but she's about as Mediterranean as a J. Crew catalogue.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
My case of Streep Fatigue set in round the time of STILL OF THE NIGHT....
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
The problem I have with Meryl Streep is that she seems to be too predictable. I never feel that she is willing to take chances. Trapped by her brand, I guess.
Love Meryl, but she's about as Mediterranean as a J. Crew catalogue.
That's funny, because I remember when Kelli O'Hara was announced for Bridges, everyone was complaining about how un-Mediterranean she seemed and that she would never be as believable as Meryl was in the film. And now Meryl is the one who doesn't seem Mediterranean? I dunno, I just find that funny.
I, for one, am very excited about this, as Master Class is one of my favorite plays, but I missed the most recent revival. I hope that this becomes a trend for HBO to release a movie adaptation of a great play every year, as that would be a great way to expose many to wonderful works.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
"Cool. Love Meryl but she seems to be in everything these days lol."
My thoughts exactly. However, it really does not surprise me since many consider her to be "the greatest actress of our time". It'd be wonderful if Sierra Boggess got to reprise the role of Sharon, but I don't think that will happen. Emmy Rossum would be perfect for that part too. My bet is that is the kind of person they want for the part.
No one would really buy Emmy Rossum as a voice student at Juliard studying serious opera. You don't need names in those roles anyway. In fact, I think it would be a detriment to the piece.
Meryl can act and people will watch. End of story. There is no doubt in my mind that she'll be perfection. Can't wait!
Roscoe, that's the same time I was afflicted. Was in remission for a while she was doing silly comedies. Had a recent flare up, though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
I'm very enthused. Great actor and great director. I'm not sure why people find Streep predictable. The range she has shown between, say, Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, Julie & Julia, Angels in America, Iron Lady etc. does not scream of sameness to me. All that's predictable to me is that she'll deliver yet another wonderful performance.
I hit my stride with being over exposed to Meryl somewhat later. I wish they might have considered some other ladies for the role (HBO has a built in base really with subscribers). Also, Emmy Rossum trained at the Met, so she's definitely believable as Sharon-and I for one could be persuaded to watch for her.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
I agree Meryl will be wonderful chewing the scenery of this part.
I also second the Meryl fatigue. Finally saw AUGUST recently and the flaccid direction started with letting her soften that role into a soggy mess.
But she gets the movies made. And if Nichols is directing, I'm happy.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
Nowhere can you learn how to chew the scenery better than Yale Drama School, Joe Papp and Mike Nichols.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
For those of you Meryl-lovers, can you really watch this and not laugh? I mean Meryl using a crucifix like a shiv? Really? Really? It's Acting 101.
Link
Watching this scene just made me sad all over again on the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman. What an incredibly mesmerizing actor.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
Goth, I don't think I'll sum up her entire, lengthy career based on one scene, perhaps badly directed.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"Goth, I don't think I'll sum up her entire, lengthy career based on one scene, perhaps badly directed."
Yes, but this is the greatest living American actress. And she hams it up terribly.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
so will Audra McDonald be in this? not familiar with the show... would her character she played when she did it be too young for her now?
It's pretty important that Sharon be young. Callas is intimidated by her youth and her voice which is why I don't think actors like Emmy Rossum are believable for the role. They need opera singers- real - young opera singers to play the supporting roles. Even Sierra Boggess who has a gorgeous voice is not someone who would realistically be in a position to have a major opera career. They need unknowns.
I wish I had seen Audra in the role so badly. Emmy Rossum ruined the whole premise of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; the idea that this girl with a tiny voice and zero presence could be a big opera star was laughable, but then again, so was the entire film. No to Ms. Rossum.
MichaelBennett, could they hire a name if they were dubbed? They dubbed Evan Rachel Wood's opera singing for her brilliant turn in the HBO adaptation of MILDRED PIERCE.
Not surprising ray-andallthatjazz86 would be all for Streep. God knows he's more than halfway up her rectum by now.
Not surprising ray-andallthatjazz86 would be all for Streep. God knows he's more than halfway up her rectum by now.
I just don't see the need to go for names in the supporting roles. They have Streep - that's the selling point--and the whole premise is that she's teaching unknown students -- I think it's more important they get people who can really sing opera for a movie. I understand why actual opera students wouldn't want to do 8 shows a week on stage but for a movie they should hire the real deal. There is no shortage of talent out there in opera programs around the world.
Well, to be fair, there are worse places to be, namely your rectum.
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