Bearing a wealth of emotion, realization and anguish, John Wells' August: Osage County is a dark and sometimes comedic venture into the lives of the three strong-willed Weston sisters. Growing up in Oklahoma, the three girls have ventured out on separate paths, each taking a different fork in the road. But a family crisis brings them all back to the home that they grew up in, stirring up a pot of sensitive history as they find themselves standing before the dysfunctional woman who raised them.
Meryl Streep, in typical fashion, blows everyone away with her haunting portrayal of Violet Weston, an aging women who suffers from mouth cancer and an addiction to pain killers. Her stern persona gives us a small glimpse of the life she gave her children, and her war of words makes her a force during any verbal argument. Yet it is her delicate delivery during her most fragile of moments that allows you to look past her dark exterior and see that she was truly a women who was merely left behind.
Led by Julia Roberts, in what could easily be called the most commanding performance of her storied career, the supporting work on this film is what gives the Weston family a sense of life (and authenticity). Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Dermon Mulroney, Juliette Lewis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Margo Martindale and Abigail Breslin all provide strong supporting work in the film, offering up a wealth of complexity to the already malfunctioning clan. It is their intertwining relationships that give the film its heart. They are all going through hell, fighting against the bent up hatred for the ones they call family. Returning to the scene of the crime allows their emotions to run wild, setting off an intense and somewhat uncomfortable series of events that occasionally brings an awkward sense of humor to the dark and moody drama.
Based on the popular stage play by Tracy Letts, at its root, the film is a strong character study. Its comedic tone is never entirely intentional; however, much like real life, it comes through quite naturally. Dialogue flows freely, accumulating at a dinner scene that has insults flying as the family's garbage is put out in the open for all to hear. It is here that both Streep and Roberts showcase their incredible talent, going toe-to-toe as they present an inner struggle that has been buried deep for years.
August: Osage County is in no way a happy film, and it honestly isn't a film that will be enjoyed by many. It's realistic, emotional and blunt in its delivery and doesn't feature an "ending" as often defined by the casual viewer. It is, however, a film worth seeing. Impeccable performances by nearly everyone involved keeps you engaged, even if the constant bickering wanes on your conscious.
