Meryl Streep, SHE-DEVIL - 89' or DEATH BECOMES HER - 92

Having recently viewed these 2 films pretty much back to back and they were a complete comedic turn for Streep from her austere dramatic roles in the 70's and 80's—she did show her humorous side in Mike Nichols terrific Heartburn - 86'—I find both of these films wonderfully entertaining and funny. Of course Streep was acting along with other strong comedic talent like Roseanne Barr, Sylvia Miles, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, who had already proven their chops with comedy films, I was wondering what others opinions are on Streep's talent as a comedienne.

I find Streep's performance improves as She-Devil courses into its run-time and when things started to fall apart for Mary Fisher, Streep pretty much nailed her characters over-the-top breakdown and she was quite hilarious. I had otherwise judged her performance as being easy for her, because I can find some of her more dramatic roles a parody of who she is playing due to her mannerisms and the head-space of her intellect when acting. Streep can tend to show us what she is doing, rather than just 'be' the character. It's like she wants to show us what an impressive job she does. Mary Fisher was a parody to begin with, so as her character was introduced her role was already written as a cliche stereotype, so I would question was it easy for her to be funny, as it was already written funny? As Ruth is hating on Mary Fisher for her revenge, Streep still manages to make her Mary sympathetic. She tries her best at her new life, even using the experience as a new creative beginning for herself. The novel and British tv series is much darker of course and doesn't give Mary much of an out.  

Streep's Madeline Ashton in Death Becomes Her is a similar narcissistic and shallow character, that perhaps doesn't really undergo the same character arc or transition as her Mary Fisher does, who is pretty and rich and lives in a big mansion by the sea.  Streep still nails the humor with her role and while I feel she may be a bit forced with the comedy, as opposed to Hawn, Willis and the terrific Isabella Rossellini—who pretty much upstages them all in her wicked cameo—they all look like they had a great time making it.

Streep was also great in Mike Nicols Postcards From The Edge - 90' and she really zinged the witty one-liners in this one.