It may be a problem of tone.
One of the reasons people latch onto Streep's performance, I think, is because it's so damned big. Frankly, it's pretty hilarious at times. Now, the rest of the film is a bit "out there" too (brainwashing's not enough apparently; we need to surgically insert microchips into our dupes' brains as well) but Demme's such a deft hand with suspense, and getting strong performances, that I don't let the ostensible silliness get in the way.
But whenever Streep makes an entrance, it's like we're seeing scenes from a different film. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, because BIG Streep is still Streep, and still endlessly watchable. But it gives the film a strange tension, especially in light of certain late revelations; I mean, Liev Schreiber, Denzel Washington, Geoffrey Wright these guys are rather heartbreaking in their disturbed earnestness. Streep is practically vaudeville by comparison.

Indeed. Altogether I'm not too enthusiastic about this movie, but the performance of Meryl Streep alone makes it worth watching.

@THERAHMAN.In my OPINION all of her performances are either outstanding or good.Meryl Streep has never given a bad performance.I'm happy she's appreciated by the MAJORITY(I don't only mean people on IMDb) because she is truly the best actress I've seen.From mastering so many different accents and being so believable in every role,she's just an amazing actress.I also think Cate Blanchett is right behind her when it comes to being one of the best actresses.She did a great job in this movie and so did Denzel Washington.

I have always thought she is beautiful but not classically beautiful. I would think that age would have caught up to her.
But her skin is flawless and she doesn't seem to have aged.
Has she had work done? I want to believe she hasn't. But if not, what are her secrets? Is it good lighting, filters, botox, an aging portrait in the attic?

I have to agree. When I watched this last night, I was thinking "she's overrated". I don't know if she just phoned it in or what. I'm not saying she was consistently terrible or anything, but definitely not one of her best performances. There were just some parts where I didn't find her at all believable as an actress. She was probably good in parts, but plenty of times I felt myself thinking she's not that good or isn't a great fit for this role. Her resemblance to Hillary is true, though trivia states she didn't base the character on her, but there's no denying some parallels.

Are you Blind???
To me this is one of her worst efforts EVER
Any senior actress in Hollywood could have done a better job than Streep did in this.
And I consider myself a Streep fan.
You don't have to stand tall, but you have to stand up!

is this a B-movie?

I loved her in this role. I enjoy how diverse her 'bad guy characters' all are. Its difficult for female actors to play different kinds of 'bitches' but Meryl does it well. Her character portrayal in this movie was amazing and much different to the other 'bitchy' roles she's played such as Madeline Ashton in Death Becomes Her and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. All bitches but all vastly different. Meryl is amazing at making all her characters so unique and special.
Homer, you're dumb as a mule and twice as ugly. If a strange man offers you a ride, I say take it!

This movie bored me to bits, but only Streep kept me in, because she did what every actor should do when trapped in a B-movie: Ham' it up. And boy she did. She was a hoot. She was one scary bitch. Loved her part.

I agree with
franzabuki
"Its the worst performance Ive seen from Meryl Streep". Playing so far 'over the top' I thought she'd take off!

Its the worst performance Ive seen from her. Shes barely adequate.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

She looked like Hillary Clinton in itanyone else agree?

She was awesome, I agree. Most elegant, poised and articulate.