Saw 'AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY' this evening after getting to the end of the queue to be told 'THE BOOK THIEF' was sold out tonite - so next best option! Had read the reviews of this film which have been mixed despite the strong ensemble cast, the stirring emotional story line, and the fact that is largely set within the four walls of an ageing family home. This is the tale of a seriously dysfunctional family, three estranged sisters, and their mother suffering mouth cancer and hooked on uppers, downers and pain killers to numb the pain all the while seemingly oblivious to what these prescription drugs are doing to her mental state (solid film material this!)
The mother in question is played to great effect by Meryl Streep who gives another solid performance with moments of pathos, anger, humour and raw emotion. Very ably supported by Julia Roberts who has given her best performance since her award winning 'ERIN BROKOVICH' turn drops the 'F' bomb more times that you can count but her performance is solid & grounded and a highlight of the film. Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ewan McGregor all support and all have their moment in the sun with some great lines and emotional dialogue.
This all surrounds a cataclysmic event in the family that bring all these disjointed disenfranchised characters together, which in turn brings out many more skeletons, home truths and twists & turns as the family unit slowly implodes. Heavy on dialogue, heavy on emotion, at times bleak & unforgiving this is not uplifting stuff, but it will leave you wondering, debating and discussing some very strong performances and the dinner sequence in particular is more than noteworthy as a pivotal scene in the film.
You don't need to see this on the big screen and don't watch it if you're feeling alone, depressed or angry!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Still haven't seen this - might have to wait for the small screen option now!
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