Meryl Streep: Bankable franchise

July 30, 2009 It's understandable if that prompts the reading equivalent of a double-take, but despite turning 60 in June, the actress most synonymous with Oscar quietly has become one of the most reliable warm-weather draws at the multiplex. The female-and-food pic, tracking to open in the $20 million range domestically with older females driving interest, could solidify her status as the industry's only character actress who, in the right vehicle, can carry a midbudget movie to blockbuster status. With movie-star reliability continuing to buckle and such younger male actors as Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and Jack Black recently receiving the back of the hand from audiences, Streep's success in nontraditional summer fare is delicious indeed.

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