Movie Review: August: Osage County (2013)
Written by Anthony Sargon
Imagine going to a friend’s house for dinner, only to sit and watch in horror as your pal’s family begins to argue, fight, and air a lot of dirty laundry. “August: Osage County” kinda feels like that, except that the experience is made somewhat tolerable thanks to some incredible performances, with Meryl Streep in particular delivering another tour de force performance that is sure to earn her yet another Academy Award nomination. It’s a bumpy, weird, and often obnoxious ride, but if you’re looking for a great ensemble performance, you needn’t look much further (or just watch American Hustle).
Based on Tracy Letts’ award winning play, the story revolves around three sisters who are called back home after their father has gone missing. The girls’ mother, Violet (Meryl Streep), is suffering from cancer, but she’s also been addicted to prescription drugs for as long as they can remember. As more and more family begins to pour into Violet’s home, tensions continue to run high, and everybody eventually loses control. This family is as dysfunctional as they come, and it all comes spiraling out of control.
Meryl Streep is without a doubt the greatest actress of our generation, and she proves it yet again in “August.” She brilliantly portrays the broken, addicted, and severely disturbed mother of three, and she hooks you right from the start. The performances are great across the board, and while I can’t go through each one individually, know that everyone brings their A-game: Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Juliette Lewis…the list goes on and on. I will say that I was extremely impressed with Benedict Cumberbatch, and his character was probably the most likable in the entire film, followed closely by Chris Cooper’s character.
The problem I have with the film is that there are just too many unlikable characters acting like complete assholes. While that certainly doesn’t make for a bad movie, it definitely doesn’t make it enjoyable, and when you have no one to root for, you’re not entirely sure how to feel when the credits start to roll. The audience is also assaulted by a barrage of family issues, and they’re all pretty extreme. I may be alone on this one, but I also feel like the casting director could have gone with a few less recognizable and seasoned stars, as things began to feel a bit crowded. Don’t get me wrong, I love big ensemble casts, but Meryl Streep’s performance alone is a lot to handle, so having this many talented cast members is a bit excessive.
The Verdict:
In my opinion, Meryl Streep can do no wrong, and she’s really brilliant in this. Unfortunately, the film is a bit too mean-spirited, so the only real draw here is the acting. “August: Osage County” is a good film about a family in turmoil, but it’s not one I’d particularly want to watch again.
Numerical Score: 6.5/10
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