One of the most unfortunate pieces of popular culture is the way a tragedy can be turned into a meme. The idea that something horrific, terrifying, or life altering, can happen and then become so overly saturated and parodied that the point where it no longer has an impact or an honest response, and that hurts the impact when it is rediscovered years later.
A Cry in the Dark (also known as Evil Angels) is a true story of a harrowing emotional and legal struggle of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain (Meryl Streep and Sam Neill). But its dramatic and long embattled story is plagued by a single phrase which now overshadows the entire incident: “A dingo’s got my baby”.
Azaria Chamberlain, nine-week-old daughter of the couple vanished in the night; the only witness was Lindy, who swore she saw a dingo race into the night with the baby in its jaws. What sparked from this media sensation that destroyed the Chamberlain’s lives and ultimately their marriage.
This became the Australian equivalent of the eventual O.J. Simpson trial in the United States. It was such an absurdly bizarre chance that skepticism and conspiracy swept the nation and eventually Lindy and Michael found themselves on trial for the murder of their own child, one they were still grieving.
Lindy eventually was convicted of murdering her child, spent three years in prison, and while exonerated after a new appeal overturned false evidence, and the proof that a dingo did in fact kill Azaria, the ultimate horror is that single line is now more known to many than the actual event. I myself thought “a dingo ate your baby” was a line from a comedy movie or show, rather than inspired by a real event. And that’s a sign of how the media has lost the truth of this case.
Movies have stories to tell, they can get facts wrong, but so can so much more, and if the world is to keep on moving forward effectively and do better the next time such a case comes to the forefront. If we get lost in the sensationalism, then the outcome is altered forever, and a tragedy becomes a meme.
So let’s breakdown this performance.
My criteria for judging each performance is as follows:
Intentions and Choices – What was Meryl doing as a performer and did it come across in a way that was interesting and compelling?
Physicality and Vocal Choices – Was there a select set of choices for Meryl’s posture, gestures, rhythms, accents, and all other physical aspects, and did they help add to the character or distract from it?
Character Backstory – Were there choices Meryl made that showed us secrets beyond the script or screen? Did those choices add to her work or were they something that took us out of the present story.
Stand Out Moments – What scenes from the movie worked the best, or worst, and how did those reflect on Meryl’s performance?
Overall Movie Quality – How is the movie outside of Meryl’s performance? Is it a brilliant work because of her, in spite of her, or is her performance the only thing that makes the movie redeemable?
So let’s break down Lindy Chamberlain in A Cry in the Dark (Evil Angels):
Intentions and Choices – I think there was a problem with Streep’s performance in this one, because of the history behind the movie. What was fact and what was fiction? This makes the work muddy, but when she’s on, she’s really on. (7/10)
Physicality and Vocal Choices – I honestly felt like this one got away from Streep. Chamberlain’s New Zealand accent doesn’t come out naturally, and she struggles to keep it both consistent and relaxed, even in the moments with little to no tension. (2/10)
Character Backstory – There wasn’t much backstory, and there wasn’t much history beyond the present character state. I saw some good moments, but it’s not something that took strong focus or interest. (4/10)
Stand Out Moments – Both the infamous dingo kidnapping scene and Lindy’s questioning in her murder trial stand out, Meryl shows growth between the two moments and she works better there than any other point in the movie. (6/10)
Overall Movie Quality – I had a really hard time taking this movie seriously, especially after I realized what it was about. A Cry in the Dark has not aged sincerely and I found myself not helped in breaking that expectation with how melodramatic so many moments are. I don’t think it’s held up well. (3/10)
Total Score 21/50
Current Ranking:
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Deer Hunter
Sophie’s Choice
Silkwood
Ironweed
The French Lieutenant’s Woman
A Cry in the Dark
Out of Africa
I’m genuinely finding myself surprised by some of these nominations. Like I see why she was given those nods, but there surely had to be other better performances in some of those years. I think we’ll see a change soon as Meryl hits a stride in the 90s.
But until then, thanks for taking the time to get Ploominated.
Ploominate 