• Meryl Streep has seen and done it all on film
• Her favorite love scene has an interesting backstory
• THIS is how she broke it down

Catch the scoop on Streep's recent honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes and her reflections on her blockbuster hits. Imagine this: Robert Redford, Hollywood's golden boy, tenderly washing Meryl Streep's hair by a river - cinema magic, right? According to Streep, this wasn't just any scene; it was "a sex scene in a way, because it’s so intimate."

Wild Challenges On Set

The duo, portraying lovers in colonial South Africa, brought a level of tenderness rarely captured on screen. But guess what? It wasn't all smooth sailing!

Filming in the wild brought its own set of thrills and dangers. Streep humorously shared how they were warned about lions (imported from California, no less!) and the deadly hippos lurking nearby.

"We had lions, but they were not tame," she quipped. And the hippos? Let's just say Streep was more than a little aware of their presence during the filming of that iconic scene.

"And the second thing we were told is the animal that kills the most people in Africa is the hippopotamus, if you get between the hippopotamus and the water," she added.

"So we were shooting in the river and the hippopotamus were right above it. I don’t know if they show that in the movie, I can’t remember, but I was aware of it!"

Initially, Redford's hair-washing technique left much to be desired. 

"It wasn’t good," she admitted. However, Streep's longtime hair stylist and makeup artist Roy Hellund jumped in and demonstrated how he typically washed the actress's hair, which Streep described as "the best part of my day."

"Redford took the lesson, and he just really got into it, and he was great," Streep recalled. The result? "By take five I was so in love!" Streep exclaimed. Despite the hippo hazard, Streep didn't want the day to end. Talk about professionalism!

Streep didn't shy away from admitting her "huge crush" on Redford, which only fueled their on-screen chemistry. Redford's charm and "unusual quality for a man" made working together a dream for Streep, leading to a lifelong friendship and another collaboration in 'Lions for Lambs.'

"We really got to know each other after he arrived in Africa," she said. "I developed this huge crush on him, which made it easier to do the love story. He’s really wonderful to work with."

She continued, "He has an unusual quality for a man — he has a very receptive way about him and is an incredibly good listener. That’s an attribute people usually associate with women. So for women, he’s very easy to talk to."

Fast forward to 2024, and Streep is still making waves, recently receiving a standing ovation at Cannes. Humble as ever, she shared how the overwhelming support was "a lot" for someone who leads "a very quiet life." Streep also mused on her unexpected blockbusters, 'Mamma Mia!' and 'The Devil Wears Prada', proving her golden touch in cinema.

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From wild animals to wild successes, Meryl Streep's journey in Hollywood is nothing short of extraordinary. Her reflections offer a glimpse into the life of a true cinematic legend, whose talent and charm continue to captivate audiences worldwide.