Meryl Streep As Margaret Thatcher And Other Stars And Their Biopic Subjects (PHOTOS)

Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. And because the multi-dimensional, damaged, brilliant and bizarre so often shape the fate our our world, they also make some of the best movie characters.

This fall in particular has seen a whole host of films about icons of reality. On Thursday, in fact, a whole plethora of major stars earned Golden Globe nominations for playing real people. Amongst the nominees were Meryl Streep for her turn as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Brad Pitt for playing baseball icon Billy Beane; Leonardo DiCaprio for his take on former FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover; VIggo Mortensen for playing Sigmund Freud; and Michelle Williams, for her turn as Marilyn Monroe.

Casting and playing these figures on the big screen is a tricky task for filmmakers and stars because the public is so often attached to the actual, original people. Some films pull off the high-pressure job better than others. Here are those nominated biopic stars this year; who do you think did it best?

Comments

[2B]

11:32 PM on 12/19/2011

Brad is trying to look intellectual and deep in those glasses -- like more than just another pretty face. But I don't know how anyone could ever think he is intellectual or deep. Now let's see if this comment, like my previous one, gets taken down. BP has someone who cleans up these posts, gets the negative ones down asap.

[SukiTheCat]

10:44 AM on 12/19/2011

The only one I've seen is Michele Williams as Marilyn Monroe and she was great in that!

[triplettam]

03:27 AM on 12/19/2011

Never a huge fan of ol' Margaret, but that movie looks good. I think I'll check it out. And loved "Moneyball." Brad knocked it out of the park.

[oceanofconsciousness]

01:15 PM on 12/19/2011

Iron Lady is actually a really good film and Streep is phenomenal. Also, I recommend A Dangerous Method with outstanding performances by Keira Knightly, Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen.

[ali baba lol]

12:31 PM on 12/18/2011

Sorry Merryl....I love u but the biggest transformation was the BIGGEST LOSER

[dblueII]

11:50 AM on 12/18/2011

Michelle Williams was divine.

[Wistfulslinking]

10:15 AM on 12/18/2011

When did mimicry and impersonation become "impossible"?

[Sherry Ainscough]

10:13 AM on 12/18/2011

If Huffington Post is available in Canada, why then, aren't the videos that go with the stories available in Canada. What's up? Doesn't make sense.

[triplettam]

03:26 AM on 12/19/2011

Different copyrights. It happens on YouTube too. Some video you want to see isn't available in "your country." Everything is business.

[kiran1207]

08:28 AM on 12/18/2011

def not Michelle Williams I hate the way she acts! over rated

[StephenJK]

06:26 AM on 12/18/2011

Decaprio has one heckuva resume dating WAY back. His childhood work was some of his best. Just 3 off the top are Basketball Diaries, What's Eating Gilbert Grape and one of my all-time favorites, This Boy's Life w/ Robert Deniro as a control freak husband/father figure.

[UserNameJane]

01:45 PM on 12/18/2011

Those are actually 3 of my fav. Leo movies.

[catz1515]

05:05 AM on 12/18/2011

interesting article on J. Edgar Hoover.....
http://www.viewzone.com/lbj/index.html

[guywhocantype]

04:42 AM on 12/18/2011

I like Michelle Williams, but I just can't buy her as Marilyn Monroe.

[Wistfulslinking]

10:16 AM on 12/18/2011

Than you haven't seen the film.

[guywhocantype]

10:33 PM on 12/19/2011

I have not seen the film. I just don't think I can buy her as Marilyn physically. I'm sure she acted well.

[oceanofconsciousness]

01:16 PM on 12/19/2011

She was actually really good. Captured the emotional life.

[Isabella85]

02:15 AM on 12/18/2011

Maybe it's just me but I'm sick of role hogger Meryl Streep in yet another role that begs for Oscars. She's just not an interesting actress to me. Her performances are all about technique, but there's no soul there. It's all so hollow. I prefer an actress with more depth, subtlety and who isn't so self-aware when it comes to body language. Streep is praised as the greatest actress in the world just because she gets the best roles in the world.

[iconico62]

04:39 AM on 12/18/2011

Yep, it's just you. Everybody else on earth acknowledge her acting skills. Kinda sad that your favorite thespian, Paris Hilton was not nominated. She has depth, soul, and certainly body awareness that you require. Get back to your cheap romance rentals.

[2B]

11:17 PM on 12/19/2011

Right on, iconico!

[catz1515]

05:04 AM on 12/18/2011

you might be alone here....check out Hilly in The Help, sounds like thats more your style.

[kapalabhati]

07:01 PM on 12/18/2011

Funny.

[masterdaddy0]

12:58 AM on 12/18/2011

A Dangerous Method looks great, is it still in theaters?

[dblueII]

11:50 AM on 12/18/2011

It looks better than it is.

[majorwiblit]

10:57 PM on 12/17/2011

Meryl,,,,you are stunning,,,always have been,,,,,do what you do,,,and thank-you

[bdazz]

09:03 PM on 12/17/2011

Leo is definitely due...but so is Brad. This will be tough. Overall..I think Leo's body of work has been richer..but Brad needs a nod. This will be tough..I have not seen either movies so I will have to decide after that.