August: Osage County
Go! Meryl Streep. 'Nuff said.
Manic family issues drama.
I'm starting to put together a theory about Meryl Streep being an alien. Or perhaps some kind of witch. Or maybe she's just a human genius. After her nomination for her role in August: Osage County she has now received 18 Oscar noms for acting awards - six more than anyone else; and has won a record-equalling three times. Her first nom was in 1978, so really we're looking at a nom every 500 days or so for the past 26 years. Oh yeah, and she's also had Golden Globe noms with 8 wins. She loves nomming. She's a mad, greedy nommer. And a completely mesmerising actress.
In August: Osage County the woman is typically magnificent, with such predictability that it almost feels like its not worth mentioning. She plays the drug-addled, cancer-suffering, slightly racist and tremendously blunt matriarch of a troubled family, brought together by the death of her alcoholic, poet husband. And if you think that sounds like the precursor for a heavy two hours, you'd be right (and that's not even the half of it). Based on a play, this story is theatrical in its complicated relationships, lyricism of script and confrontation of familial issues. At times tender, comical and occasionally explosive, it is an exaggerated emotional molatov cocktail that relies on its actors to make it keep it from blowing up in our faces and giving us first degree burns.
This is achieved with Streep at the helm, leading a cast of striking and handsome performances into the tempestuous emotional storm. Julia Roberts (Notting Hill), Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers), Margo Martindale (Boardwalk Empire) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness) give particularly notable turns as every orifice of the family leaks and then gushes forth with unadulterated anguish. While Streep is the spectacular star of the show; in particular, Roberts, as her indignant oldest daughter, and Cumberbatch, in a quiet but touching role as a bullied cousin, are both rather excellent too.
Yes, it does get a little over-dramatic at times and there are moments that the pace slows a little too much, but you'll be so sucked in by Meryl and her band of not-very-merry friends that you'll either be engrossed in the madness or pleased for the respite.
So go and see this film. Like sushi with an extra squeeze of wasabi, it's raw, nourishing and penetrating. And besides Meryl Streep being good value alone for the ticket price, let us not forget that this is a film about women, and there are all too few of those films. Take the opportunity to see one.
Yes, it does get a little over-dramatic at times and there are moments that the pace slows a little too much, but you'll be so sucked in by Meryl and her band of not-very-merry friends that you'll either be engrossed in the madness or pleased for the respite.
So go and see this film. Like sushi with an extra squeeze of wasabi, it's raw, nourishing and penetrating. And besides Meryl Streep being good value alone for the ticket price, let us not forget that this is a film about women, and there are all too few of those films. Take the opportunity to see one.
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