Review of August: Osage County (2013) by Jeffrey M — 30 May 2014

While it borders, and eventually exceeds, in melodrama, August: Osage County is a film hard not to be impressed with. It's dark, cynical, funny in its own way, yet penetrating in its look at one dysfunctional family. It's a film that takes itself very seriously, yet backs it up with talent and a sort of fierceness about itself that keeps one ever engaged.

The film revolves around the profoundly dysfunctional Weston family, a Oklahoma based intellectual family, but one riddled with secrets, prejudices, insecurities, and discord. When the male patriarch disappears, it leaves the restless, drug addicted, and deeply flawed Violet Weston, played by Meryl Streep, at the helm, let to deal with her estranged daughters. This all gives a very interesting look at family dynamics and intergenerational strife, and the ripple effects it has. Too often, family dramas never feel real, they're too sanitized, too clean, too polished. One cannot say that of the Weston's who seem all too relatable for many of us. It also serves as a powerful character study about addiction, and the role of substance abuse in troubled families. This is all anchored by an enormously talented ensemble cast, full of some of the most prolific actors of our time, with all of them turning out excellent performances.

If there is to be a criticism of Osage County, it's certainly that its melodrama gets away from itself in the later act of the film. Things start to fall apart too easily, the dysfunction starts to feel contrived, and the actors are left to wallow in their own pity. The contrivance is not felt early on, however, making the last act the weakest. The film's huge ensemble cast was undoubtedly a bit too big, feeding a number of storylines that could otherwise be self contained. Still, the dialogue is rich, the characters well realized, and the commentary often poignant, making up for the later shortcomings.

4/5 Stars.