Meryl Streep exits method acting after depression on set
- Method acting encourages actors to immerse themselves in their roles using real-life emotions.
- Many notable actors have reported negative mental health impacts from method acting techniques.
- The increasing criticism has led to a reevaluation of the necessity of method acting in modern cinema.
Method acting, or The Method, is a rehearsal technique that encourages actors to fully immerse themselves in their characters by utilizing their real-life emotions and experiences. This approach has gained a significant following among actors aiming for deeper performances, but it also comes with serious psychological risks. In recent years, various actors have shared their struggles with method acting, citing severe mental health issues and unsettling behavior. Among them, Meryl Streep revealed her decision to abandon the technique after experiencing depression during the filming of The Devil Wears Prada. She discussed the emotional toll it took on her, expressing that she was 'so depressed' during the production. Similarly, Will Smith acknowledged the dangers of method acting, particularly when it influenced real-life relationships, discussing a past crush on co-star Stockard Channing that emerged while working on Six Degrees of Separation. Jared Leto's bizarre antics while portraying the Joker in Suicide Squad and Shia LeBeouf's extreme actions during the production of Fury highlight the potential for method acting to result in erratic behavior, causing discomfort among co-stars. The broader conversation around the risks and consequences of method acting has prompted some actors, like Charlize Theron and Martin Freeman, to criticize its excessive nature, with Theron describing her experience as 'exhausting' and Freeman labeling Jim Carrey's commitment in Man on the Moon as 'narcissistic.' Dwaynica Greaves, a cognitive neuroscientist at University College London, posited that an actor's training method can greatly influence the emotional distance they maintain from their character, indicating that the practice may not be necessary for effective performance. Recent discussions and reflections from A-listers about the adverse effects of method acting have sparked a reconsideration of its use, suggesting that the significance of an actor's mental well-being should be prioritized over the depth of their portrayal.