A simply superb plot

Meryl Streep can do no wrong! She is clearly talented; winning numerous awards throughout her career and is adored by many.

She commands the screen, regardless of the film, and her fans are always curious as to what character she will be playing next. After all, she’s a chameleon, willing to take on any role and do it justice.

As I had not heard much about August: Osage County, nor had I even watched the trailer, I was shocked to see an ill, foul-mouthed, rude and obnoxious Streep … a Streep that was so loud, if I had met her in real life, I would have fled in the other direction.

Many would think her performance was overpowering and not in a good way, but I think she nailed it!

The film focuses on the characters speaking in long, detailed monologues, with all the action taking place in one house, but Streep still manages to inhabit the role, become the character and pick up her mannerisms as well as showcase her personality perfectly to draw the audience into every second of it. Simply put, she’s a legend!

Needless to say, August: Osage County is a movie that showcases all her talents. It’s not the best movie, but I would definitely recommend it. It’s predictable and may at times seem slow, but it’s the dark humour and performances that make it enjoyable.

Although the film focuses primarily on a dysfunctional family dealing with the death of their father, it’s the kind of movie that sheds light on the saying ‘the truth never did anybody any good’. The tension in this family is so intense and the characters and conversations are so nasty, the audience just can’t look away!

The film opens to a drug addict Violet (Streep) and her alcoholic husband, Beverley (Sam Shepard). Beverley is seen interviewing a young helper as it is apparent that Violet has a pill-popping problem and needs all the help she can get, as she also suffers from cancer.

Skip the opening credits and Beverley disappears. The audience then learns that Violet has driven her daughters away, except the timid Ivy (Julianna Nicholson) who is looking for love in all the wrong places.

Her favourtie daughter Barbs (Julia Roberts) and her family, including her husband (Ewan McGregor) and daughter (Abigail Breslin) return to Osage County to help Violet find Beverley.

It’s only after they discover that he has drowned himself that the whole family return home, including the forgotten sister Karen (Juliette Lewis) and her fiancé Steve (Dermot Mulroney), as well as Violet’s sister Mattie Fae (Margo Matindale) and her husband (Chris Cooper), along with their ‘special’ son, Little Charles (Benedict Cumberbatch).

Barbs and Violet, both just as stubborn as each other, butt heads and angrily argue about every matter. It’s only when Violet’s drug problems get the best of her that Barbs decides to take control of the situation.

This film has many twists and turns and every character has their own dilemma to focus on. There are so many emotions flying around this family, there’s bound to be at least one story here that you can relate to.

Although it may seem like every member of this family may not like one another and say the cruelest things, the cast does a perfect job of letting the idea of family filter through.

Obviously Streep was fantastic, but Roberts also shines in one of her best performances in recent years. You watch her stay composed until her frustrations get the best of her and she falls apart. She perfectly blends the right amount of grit and aggression to play Barbs and the role fits her like a glove.
 
Margo Martindale was also one of my favourites. Although she plays the same character in almost every movie she’s in, this time around she not only adds humour to the film, she also infuses tension and drama into the plot by revealing one of the biggest twists.

What this film has taught me is that no matter how dysfunctional your family is, you will always come second to the Westons. August: Osage County is the perfect example of how even the most simplest of movies can shine when it’s cast with actors who outperform the films they are in.

* Showing in Showing in Cineco, Seef I, Seef II, Saar Cineplex