August: Osage County

[kybearfuzz]

I got up late this morning, took a shower, grabbed lunch, and went to a matinee of August: Osage County. I wanted to catch it because of the previews I'd seen and I wasn't disappointed.

Due to a family crisis, three daughters (Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, and Juliette Lewis) and their families come home to their ailing and caustic mother (Meryl Streep). What happens over the next two hours of the movie, I can only describe as the most amazing verbal smackdowns I've seen on screen. Every character is flawed, secrets are continuously revealed, and it's as though there are no filters on anyone's mouths. It's the most dreaded Thanksgiving dinner you can imagine times ten... and on acid.

It's often funny, often sad, sometimes both. I was curious and cautious, as usually anytime there are this many big-name stars in a movie, there is often a tendency for disaster. Luckily, that didn't seem to happen this round.

Needless to say, I was amazed and enthralled. I saw so much of my own family in these characters, except we're nicer to each other. I won't go into more of it, as I don't want to spoil it, but I highly recommend it.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The play the movie was based on was a huge hit and won many awards. I'm glad to know the emotional range carried over into the movie! Estelle Parsons played the mother on stage.

I'll have to see this one!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oh I can imagine that Estelle Parsons was great on stage (based on her occasional rants on "Roseanne").

I think you'll enjoy it. It does come off as a bit overacted in places, but if your family has any drama in it, you'll be grateful this family isn't yours. :)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

The marketing company has got loads of posters up in London. I expect I will see it on dvd at some point. Good to hear your recommendation.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I think you'll enjoy it.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

I've wanted to see this. I love Meryl Streep.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

She plays the bitch quite well.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the quick movie review - this one is on my must see list; the trailers have certainly picqued my interest, and on Broadway this play was a major hit a few seasons back.
So far this year, I've only managed to see The Hobbit and Frozen - both quite good and very entertaining. The design in each case was ravishing.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I was actually happy to hear that it was in wide-release this weekend, which is why I rushed out to see it. I think if you've had any family drama in your life, you'll appreciate this movie as it's just very "over the top." I imagine the stage play was stunning.