Details from IMDB:
August: Osage County (2013)
121 min - Drama - 10 January 2014 (USA)
Ratings: 7.4/10 from 29,993 users Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 172 user | 264 critic | 45 from Metacritic.com
A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.
Director:
Writers:
Tracy Letts (screenplay), Tracy Letts (play)
Stars:
Meryl Streep, Dermot Mulroney, Julia Roberts | See full cast and crew »
Initial Thoughts:
As per the course with me, I had heard good things about this movie (in particular the acting) and finally got a chance to see it a few weeks ago.
Main Points:
What can you say about Meryl Streep? She is always amazing, she was nominated for this role and certainly could have won best actress. She takes on a very unflattering role, Violet Weston is a drunk and addicted to pain killers, extremely necrotic and often viscously unkind and suffering from cancer. While she is rather despicable character you just can’t look away, Meryl does her with such conviction and honest that you have to see what she’ll do next.
Julia Roberts is also excellent here as one of Violet’s daughters. Chris Cooper put’s in a very strong performance as does Ewan MacGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch and Juliette Lewis. The story starts off very straightforward but after a time develops some nice twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
It’s worth saying that this is not a feel-good movie, the story is ultimately about failed relationships, deeply flawed people and how one mother almost ruins the lives of all her children (and most certainly that of her husband’s).
Final Thoughts:
Strong language and sexual situations makes this inappropriate for children. The story could have used some tightening up and providing at least one happy ending would have helped the movie not be so depressing. Ultimately I give a 7.5 out of 10 and a recommendation for adults who can handle a serious/depressing movie. See some great performances and think about how you treat other people and I think the movie has done it’s job. Next will be “The Station Agent”, until then have a good night all.
The Cro's Nest 