August: Osage County

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August: Osage County
Starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin
Directed by John Wells

Synopsis:
When her husband goes missing, cancer patient and pill addict Violet (Meryl Streep) brings home her three grown daughters (Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson and Juliette Lewis) to help find him.  As the family reconnects, old secrets are revealed, past grievances come to light, and a death threatens to tear the family apart forever.

Review:
Based off a Broadway play, "August: Osage County" is a truly no-holds-barred look into the dysfunctional lives of one Midwestern family.  It is a truly jarring experience which begins with the dinner from hell, but after the secrets are revealed, it makes the dinner look like a Walton Christmas.

Led by the incomparable Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County" trumps a venerable who's who of today's most talented and acclaimed actors.  The first paring of Streep and Julia Roberts is pure cinematic gold, it's like the Tyson/Holyfield of cinema.  No one can touch Miss Meryl's supreme acting ability (which she showcases once again in yet another powerhouse performance), but Julia Roberts more than holds her own as the oldest daughter, Barb, who is just as stubborn as her mother.

From the first frame to the last, this is a masterclass of filmmaking.  You're completely drawn into the story, you care for the characters and you cringe at the utter shock of what you see, which is far more than you'll ever see on a Jerry Springer show.

Summary:
"August: Osage County" is one of those rare films that once you see it, you'll never forget it.  It's an unflinching look at a family that's about to be torn apart at the seams, delivered with incredible actors.

My Rating: A+

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