30 years ago I saw Lily Tomlin perform live for the first time on the Kent State campus. it was also 30 years ago that I saw Meryl Streep perform live for the first time in one-acts by Tennessee Williams & Arthur Miller off-Broadway.
yesterday I saw them together in a movie for the first time. "A Prairie Home Companion" may not be Altman's greatest film but watching these two magnificent women perform together is such a joy that I had a grin every time they were on screen. one expects perfection from Streep but watch Tomlin carefully. she gives a performance of nuance & depth.
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but overall, other than streep's and tomlin's performances, how was the movie? i'm rather a hit and miss fan of altman, he's done some marvelous work, such as m.a.s.h., the player and vincent and theo, are a few of my faves, but i'm rather sceptical of his taking up a camera for keillor's radio show. i must confess to not reading any reviews of the movie, and thought when it is released on disc i'll have a looksee.
Some Meryl stories. The 1st time I saw her was in a production of The Cherry Orchard, where she pretty much walked off with the show. I remember thinking, wow what a terrific young actress, wonder if she'll go anywhere.
Next story. I was in a nice show of sculptors at the albright knox gallery in Buffalo in 1980 and one of the artists of eight was a fellow named Don Gummer, one night at dinner I was sitting next to him, and he said that his wife was going to be on the cover of I think Time or Newsweek, wow I replied, who are you married to Margaret Thatcher? No he said Meryl Streep. Next story. I used to live in a loft building and my downstairs neighbor was a fashion designer. One sunday morning my bell rang and when I went to see who it was there stood Meryl Streep who had come by to get a fitting for a dress that she was going to wear to the Oscars, she said she was sorry about ringing my bell, and I just stood there open mouth. One day I was having a slice of Pizza in a soho joint again in the early 80's summer, and Don, Meryl and their kids walked by. Didn't run out after them. The last Meryl sighting was a year or so ago, as I walked up 17th street off 5th, there she was walking on the opposite side of the street, and no I didn't run across the street to tell her how much I love her etc. She is one of our great actresses, and I'll watch her even in fluff like Prime. There will be no plastic surgery on her regal face.
Richard --
this isn't Altman's greatest but probably is the best movie ever made by an 81 y/o director. & it may be the funniest movie ever made abt death. one has the feeling thruout that it's his valedictory.
Ira --
don't you remember that we saw her in "Cherry Orchard" together? that was after I'd seen her in the one-acts so I was already a fan.
yes of course I remember seeing it with you.
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