Review of August: Osage County (2013) by Alexis T — 11 Jan 2015

I believe this is one of the most brilliantly scripted movies ever. This is not a fluff piece. There is heaping discomfort in almost every scene. It is squirm worthy. Yet, the acting never falters.

There is no real last man standing in such families. Everybody receives destruction along the way, That is very hard to portray in film and still come out with redemption to spare. As far as I am concerned, this film succeeds.

I was born into a similar southern family. We too had an overreaching Queen Bee matriarch to whom you must never be disloyal. And she also brandished an iron fist of control. Like the sun and her rays, our lives spread out from that mother force. So I can relate. I found myself cheering for certain characters. Saying nasty things out loud to others. I also had several belly laughs along the way. For people like me with deep wounds this movie is therapy.

It is pure genius and high art. I can't recommend it enough. But watch out. August, Osage County is not for the faint of heart.