Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote of Streep, "No one can talk about the acting in The Manchurian Candidate without rhapsodizing about Streep (in the role originated by Angela Lansbury). She has the Hillary hair and the Karen Hughes attack-dog energy, but the charm, the inspiration, and the constant invention are her own. She gives us a senator who's a monomaniac, a mad mommy and master politician rolled into one, a woman firing on so many levels that no one can keep up – someone who loves being evil as much as Streep loves acting. She's a pleasure to watch and to marvel at every second she's onscreen." Accolades See also List of American films of 2004 References External links 2004 films 2004 thriller films 2000s American films 2000s English-language films 2000s political thriller films American neo-noir films American political thriller films Films about altered memories Films about assassinations Films about fictional presidents of the United States Films about hypnosis Films about mind control Films about mother–son relationships Films about nanotechnology Films about presidential elections Films about the United States Army Films about veterans Films based on American thriller novels Films based on adaptations Films directed by Jonathan Demme Films produced by Scott Rudin Films scored by Rachel Portman Films set in New York City Films set in 2008 Films set in the future Films shot in Jacksonville, Florida Gulf War films Incest in film Paramount Pictures films Remakes of American films