The actor Ryan Gosling called the second coming of Meryl Streep: “She’s a master”
While he is known for his casual indifference and effortless natural talent, Ryan Gosling has tried his hand at many different forms of creative expression over the years, showcasing his true passion and commitment to the medium. From the creation of his band to his dramatic performances in Drive and Half Nelson and dry comedic charm in Crazy, Stupid Love and Barbie, Gosling has done it all, now existing as one of the most sought-after actors in the business and forever capturing the hearts of audiences around the world.
But while he is most known for his work on screen, he has surprisingly been one of the few actors to extend their skills off-screen, with the actor experimenting with his voice as a director and creating a surprising project that defies his usual easy-going charm. And it was through this project that he encountered the young Saoirse Ronan, describing her with only the highest of praise.
Saoirse Ronan is considered the voice of a generation, with the actor rising through the ranks of the industry as a child and developing a mature understanding of the medium through adult stories such as Atonement and The Lovely Bones. While many child actors suffer a strange and sometimes destructive fate later on in their careers, struggling to branch out and break away from the characters they played as children, Ronan is one of the few who seemed to do this with complete ease and mastery, becoming involved in increasingly popular films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Lady Bird and Little Women.
Many would describe her as being wise beyond her years, a quality that is often given to young people who possess a more astute understanding of the world from a young age, something that is naturally reflected in her performances. This is something that Gosling picked up on when working with her on his 2014 film, Lost River.
The film follows a single mother of two who is led into a dark underworld by her son, discovering a secret road that leads to an underwater town. It is a very expressionistic and experimental film, playing with surrealism and abstract images in a distinctly unsettling and vibrant way. Saoirse stars in the film as the character of Rat, with Gosling describing her performance through only the highest praise.
When discussing her talents, Gosling said, “She’s a genius. She’s a master. She made me a better actor, I think any actor she works with, there’s an elevation in their abilities, upping their game. I felt like I was working with a master, like someone from the Golden Age. Someone superior to my skills as an actor in every way. She’s Meryl reborn. Well actually, she’s Saoirse, that name has the same recognition like Meryl (Streep) for being the best. Because she is the best”.
A comparison to Streep is often seen as the highest form of flattery for any actor, who is described as one of the greatest actors of all time. Many people are eagerly following Ronan’s career for the same reason, predicting similar levels of acclaim and success from her future body of work.
