Mary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy is a spiritual genius. Fearless, stunning, tenacious, she has achieved fame and fortune as a best-selling author and sought-after healer. Her most outspoken critic and admirer is the sharp-tongued and irreverent Mark Twain who calls her “garrulous, ungrammatical and naively and everlastingly self-contradictory” but concedes that she is “the most daring and masterful woman that ever lived, and the most extraordinary.”
- Leave a comment to suggest an actor for this role
Meryl Streep was the first to come to mind, and I am so pleased to see so many others say the same! If I were casting I would look for a combination of Meryl streep, Judy Dench and Jean Stapleton.
Cate Blanchette. She is the best actress of all time, she is beautiful, and has showed depth and range like no other female (She got an academy award for playing Bob Dylan) If she were in this movie, it would raise the awareness of it tremendously, as well as giving it class.
I agree with Cate Blanchette, but think Carol Kane looks more the part.
Jodie Foster. Fearless, stunning, tenacious. Yes.
Of course Cate Blanchette or Meryl Streep are options. Both expensive and incredibly in demand, which could push back production. For a more original option, what about Deborah Wanger? She has ripened into a penetrating, amazing talent, stands for principle on many issues, picks her roles cautiously and nails them every time.
If you can’t get “Deborah Wanger” try Debra Winger. She’s also very good!
Helen Mirren. She’s the one!
If you don’t get famous actors, people aren’t going to come out to see this film!
I have been thinking about this for some time now and even rented the movie “Il y a longtemps que je t’aime” to confirm it … I think Kristen Scott Thomas is your girl to play MBE. She not only looks very similar to Mrs. Eddy, she can project that inner knowing and wisdom. She is an excellent actor also and would be perfect aged. What a great project, Val. I have always wanted to see the medium of film used to share the perfect work of this amazing American woman. The time is very right for this too. Do it!
Meryl Streep
Maggie Smith, perhaps? Hmm, I suppose it depends n the age of your characters? Hmm, nothing a bit of makeup can’t do. Cate Blanchett is as well a fine actress. All depends on what you are going for.
Maggie Gyllenhaal another thought.
Does it really need to be a “known name” actress? Streep, Blanchett et al are truly talented, but… To do justice to the part, it would have to be someone who, regardless of her personal background, had an extremely deep empathy and sensitivity towards this very unusual role. Mrs Eddy had a remarkable combination of strength and humility – she had no doubt whatsoever as to the vital importance of her Science and of her role as its discoverer, and yet she shunned personal adulation and insisted God be given all the glory. It would take someone special – not necessarily someone famous – to portray that. I trust Mr Kilmer will know when he finds her.
Mary Steenburgen/ Val I agree time is ripe!!!!
I keep seeing Kristin Scott Thomas playing the part. Has proven herself in roles with this kind of required depth; and has similar physical characteristics as MBE — as does Carrie-Anne Moss, who has worked with Val before.
Glenn Close has the experience and depth needed for this part. Cate Blanchett is too young, too “pretty”.
I think Meryl Streep could do a wonderful job as Mrs. Eddy.
Ditto, Courtenay Rule. Yes, it will take someone very special for this role.
I think Tilda Swinton could do it.
Bebe Neuwirth might be a good fit for this role.
Glenn Close
Susan Suranden
Madeleine Stowe
Libby Skala. Who better than a Christian Scientist who is also an actor appearing in her own one-woman show about her Christian Scientist grandmother, Lilia Skala? Who could portray the depth of Mrs. Eddy’s character better than someone with a personal and intimate relationship with Life as understood through Mrs. Eddy’s teachings in Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures? Libby Skala.
Thank you Mr. Kilmer for your care-full consideration.
I adore Cate Blanchett and Kristen Scott Thomas, both on screen and stage. Another strong option is Emma Thompson! Emma has such strong character, talent, and always puts her full force and intelligence into all of her work.
Meryl Streep, or Glynn Close
I think Hillary Swank would be good in this role. I also afree with Emma Thompson
Laura Linney – - every dramatic role she has ever done has been just wonderful!
Cherry Jones or Meryl Streep would be able to portray Mary Baker Eddy with real Substance, being able to convey the depth and quality of her character.
Kate Blanchet
Joan Cusack.
Meryl Streep. An amazing 16 Academy Award nominations and winner of two (Kramer v. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice). She has an amazing ability to “understand” and bring to life biographical characters in movies.
Many, many prayers of Love will be embraced in thought to provide support for Val Kilmer to overcome any seeming obstacle in surfacing just the right person (whomever that is) to portray our beloved Mrs. Eddy.
Holly Hunter or Helen Mirren; not only would they be good physical matches, but they are both fine actresses, and I could imagine either of them protraying Mrs. Eddy’s loving spirit with great scope.
I think Holly Hunter would be ideal, but another option would be Helen Mirren or Joan Allen. All three women have a quiet intensity and seem to be people of integrity who could not only bring Mrs. Eddy’s character to life, but also convey her unique presence.
Helen Miren would perhaps represent Eddy the most accurately because of her ability to portray more than just outward actions–to represent inner thoughts and spiritual character. Eddy lived Love in a way that embraced everyone, even enemies, and consequently, brought healing. There are many actresses who can portray evil characters. It can be much more difficult to portray a truly good person in a believable way. Miren could perhaps portray that best. Also, Eddy understood the realm of mind and Mind like no one else. She could discern the thought of her own students. The actress needs to understand and represent this accurately.
Catherine Keener. I think she is a wonderful actor and has such range. Val and Catherine would be great together.
After seeing Meryl Streep’s range and appeal in Julie and Julia, she would be ideal!
I see Mia Farrow as a good choice. There is a gentle quality she shows on the screen that I feel would be necessary for the role of Mary
I love Juliet Binoche, Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Diane Lane, and Kristen Scott Thomas as possibilities. Although it might be nice to have an unknown, I think there is value in casting a well-known and proven box office draw, and of course an actress of great substance and depth. If you go for a more mature actress, Meryl Streep or Cherry Jones would both be great choices. Very excited for this project!
No one has mentioned Helen Mirren . . . She played Queen Elizabeth in The Queen. To me, she is the PERFECT choice. She could deliver that quiet strength, inner beauty, and grace that is Mrs Eddy! Another choice that someone mentioned is Carrie-Ann Moss. She definitely has the facial features and poise of Mrs Eddy plus her doing the Matrix movies she is already prepared for more metaphysics and enlightment.
I’m so glad to see others recommending Kristen Scott Thomas. When I saw “I’ve Loved You So Long,” I couldn’t help but notice how her eyes reminded me of photos of Mrs. Eddy (those eyes are most important for this role, I feel); but it is also her intensity and talent that could prove a good fit.
Kristin Scott Thomas, Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Jessica Lange.
No one seems to think about the quiet reserve this character must have to deal with the likes of Mark Twain. Dame Judith Dench gets my nod. She can put forth a whole scene of dialog without saying a word.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Kate Winslet- she is an especially thoughtful complex actor. MBE was a thoughtful complex person. If the screenplay limits time period to 1909-10, then an older actor could be considered. If the screenplay covers the life of MBE from a young woman on, the it will be necessary to chose a young actor.
Meryl Streep is my choice. She has the ability and range to let go of herself and get in character like no other actress today in my opinion.
Sally Fields! Her strength, energy and drama would bring MBE alive on the screen.
Emily Blunt
Val, please entertain the idea of having an “unknown” portray M.B.E. For those of us (meaning myself… since I was very little) who have dreamt of having a movie made of M.B.E. and see her thoughts portrayed accurately on film… (since there is no time
…please take the time to really pray about this and find the right gal & guys to help you out on this adventure…it will bless all. Thanks so much for doing this…it’s awesome! Can’t wait to see it.
This might be casting situation where you want to find the “unknown” or at least the unheralded actor to play the role. I don’t think you want the audience thinking, “Wow, isn’t so and so doing a fine job in this role. I wonder if she will get another Oscar nomination” I think you want to cast a really fine, but not well know actor.
sjh
I do believe Meryl Streep would be fantastic, I think a topper would be Jean Stapleton. No one has suggested her!