Meryl Streep emerges from the darkness in her opening scene clutching a cigarette, having a near bald head and slurring her speech. Her interpretation of Vi Weston is more of a collection of mannerisms than a character. When she's at the top of her game, she's one of the greatest actresses ever. Other times, she's the epitome of an over-rehearsed and forced theatric performance. Perhaps that's appropriate for this adaptation of a stage play, here in August: Osage County, but not when it's not in tune with the rest of the film's aspects. In fact, the film doesn't really transcend the stage with its unimaginative approach. It'd be better off adapted to radio, all of it was in the dialogue. It was like Carnage where only a few things actually happened, the main one they put on the poster. It's built on soap opera-esque drama where characters scream how they feel with all emotions on edge, Julia Roberts being particularly guilty of this.
Character development is designed around random anecdotes and profound baloney the author made up to make characters sound interesting but I never really bought that they would actually think that. Although it's somewhat entertaining to watch a dozen A-list actors sit together at a table and let loose but there's nothing truly relatable or human here. But that's fine, this type of film has its own delights. There's a good portion of the cast who deliver poignant moments such as Julianne Nicholson, Margot Martindale, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch who are really compelling to watch and seem to be the only actors truly comfortable in this environment without overdoing it. The trailer makes August: Osage County look like an uplifting family occasion, but it's a melancholic movie with open wounds on a tender spot. It's satisfying if you're prepared or open to it, but it's not for everyone.
6/10
Character development is designed around random anecdotes and profound baloney the author made up to make characters sound interesting but I never really bought that they would actually think that. Although it's somewhat entertaining to watch a dozen A-list actors sit together at a table and let loose but there's nothing truly relatable or human here. But that's fine, this type of film has its own delights. There's a good portion of the cast who deliver poignant moments such as Julianne Nicholson, Margot Martindale, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch who are really compelling to watch and seem to be the only actors truly comfortable in this environment without overdoing it. The trailer makes August: Osage County look like an uplifting family occasion, but it's a melancholic movie with open wounds on a tender spot. It's satisfying if you're prepared or open to it, but it's not for everyone.
6/10