So you might wonder why the title doesn’t say “Meryl Streep”. Well, all personal feelings aside and shoved way to the back, the reason why this is so is simply because Streep is in dire need of sharing the spotlight for once. Too many people seem to think that the woman could play anything from Batman to BB-8 to a woman from a different race, which would just be wrong anyway. Swinton on the other hand could and has played almost every role she’s been given with a passion that borders on multiple personality syndrome. The actress gets so deep into her roles that it’s a wonder that she’s able to become her own self once the director yells “cut”.
There are a few reasons why Tilda Swinton would beat out Meryl Streep right now, and here are a few of them.
She takes on controversial roles and still nails it.
In the film Doctor Strange many fans and viewers clamored that her appearance as the Ancient One was a solid slap in the face to all comic book fans everywhere. The source material for the story had the Ancient One appearing as a wizened old Asian fellow, something that Swinton will never be no matter how much makeup one applies. Yet for all that she didn’t seem to belong in the role she nailed the attitude and even managed to step it up a notch to make the character fit with her style.
She is essentially ageless.
Take a look at any of her roles. Unless she’s made up to look older she looks like a woman in her thirties despite being 56 years of age. Her look is simply exotic in a way that seems to defy the years as they continue to roll by. Where other actresses are starting to look their age in many different ways Swinton doesn’t seem to age more than a year for every four or five that pass, and even then on screen one just can’t tell.
She plays androgynous roles very well.
You might argue that she looks feminine no matter what and you could be right. But watch the film Constantine and be honest when you claim that she doesn’t look a little mannish in certain scenes. Her acting skill and slightly androgynous looks help her to achieve a new level of acting that isn’t very common in the industry but is possible for a very few. Even without special effects and loads of makeup she can pull this look off.
She’s not your typical diva.
Swinton doesn’t normally go for the standout, “look at me” kind of roles. She usually stays low key and does things because she enjoys the business. Her entire attitude thus far has been to remain as true to her craft as possible, largely because while still being somewhat of a diva, she’s also about as down to earth as any person in Hollywood can be.
So if you were looking for reasons why Tilda Swinton is the best actress in the world right now it’s because she’s humble, she’s able to step into almost any role and nail it, and she’s not afraid to take on the hard roles. It’s time for a new face to emerge in the spotlight, and Tilda Swinton is just the person to take that spot.
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