Last night I made it to see August: Osage County. I was unsure if I really wanted to see this one, seemed very much a “chick flick” from the previews, but the play it was based on won a Pulitzer so I had to give it a chance.
First off, it was indeed very well written. The characters are shaded and complex. Meryl Streep is the matriarch of a family with dark secrets, brought together after their father (Streep’s husband) has committed suicide. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and as each is revealed (to each other, as well as to the audience), the story really starts to tug at you. You really feel for each person, even when they do despicable things. Streep’s character in particular is so well developed that you find yourself loving, hating, pitying, and condemning her at different times as the story progresses.
I wouldn’t say this is a great movie, but it is a great story, and it has plenty of surprises. The acting is superb for the most part, and the characters are fleshed out in a way that makes them feel very real. A solid date night movie.
Jons Movie Takes 