August: Osage County

One thing that certainly is a plus when producing a film based on a play is that the cast is usually small and very tight, which, in turn, adds to the quality feel of the project. As we are watching "August: Osage County", the way it is presented just gives that 'play within a film' look to it.

This tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women, Barbara, Ivy and Karen (Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson and Juliette Lewis) respectively, of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and the dysfunctional woman, Violet Weston (Meryl Streep) who raised them.
One issue after another, we find these family members haven't really known each other as well as they thought, so as each issue comes to a head, are they able to even bury the hatchet or end up using it on each other instead?

Others to round out the cast are Chris Cooper as Charlie Aiken, Violet's bother-in-law, Ewan McGregor as Bill Fordham, Barbara's husband, Margo Martindale as Mattie Fae Aiken, Violet's sister, Sam Shepard as Beverly Weston, Violet's husband, Dermot Mulroney as Steve Huberbrecht, Karen's fiancé, Abigail Breslin as Jean Fordham, Barbara and Bill's daughter, Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charlie Aiken, Mattie and Charlie's son, Misty Upham as Johnna Montevata, Violet's housekeeper, Will Coffey as Sheriff Deon Gilbeau, Newell Alexander as Dr. Burke, and Jerry Stahl as Liquor Store Owner.

This was brilliantly directed by John Wells ("The Company Men" '10) plus a ton of TV. Considering this guy has only one other film to his credit in the director's chair, Wells WILL get more work his way undoubtedly. The balance of emotions he was able to get these seasoned pros to emit was perfection--incredibly real. The writing was well executed by Tracy Letts ("Bug" '06, "Killer Joe" '11) based on his 2007 Pulitzer prize winning play of the same name. As aforementioned, this film had that 'play within a film' look to it, and that has everything to do with the fact that both screenwriter and playwright are one and the same, which actually adds to that punch this film serves.

All of the actors here were consummate in their respective roles, however it is amazing that both Streep and Roberts have never acted in another film before this, because their chemistry was so spot on and their acting was so effortless, It gave the appearance that they've acted in films together more than once. Their roles were perfection!

It's amazing how much families end up realizing their frailties when it comes to converging together after so many years apart, and trying in their own dysfunctional ways to heal their relationships, which is the very heart of this film.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                            Rated: R                              120mins.