Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Love Meryl Streep -- and I rarely say that about actresses, even the ones I admire for their talent. She's smart and funny and has a good sense of humor about herself (though I think the "half of America groaning" line did fall a little flat -- esp. under the circumstances that her performance was not as good as Viola Davis's). This is a great interview with her:
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/146362798/meryl-streep-the-fresh-air-interview
I heard that. She admits to not being as pretty or good-looking as all the other young actresses, and thinks that's partly why her career has gone so well (she was never cast as a 'pretty young thang' so she didn't lose anything when she aged). There is one scenario in italy where she describes being out in public when she was younger, and she overheard (and understood) a boy say to his father in italian, 'That's really her? I thought she'd be prettier.'
Actually, I think the comment was made by Dino De Laurentiis, the the director of King-Kong, when his adult son had Streep audition for the leading lady part, which ultimately went to Jessica Lang. What's especially hilarious in Streep's retelling of this anecdote is that she responded in perfect Italian, apologizing for having wasted his time. I also love the part of the interview when Streep talks about having practiced to be a popular girl in high school by perfecting her giggle.