The movie opens up to Beverly Weston, played by Sam Shepard, speaking words of wisdom to a new caretaker for his wife, a Native American girl named Johnna, played by Misty Upham. His monologue gives off a charming yet dark tone with a hint of humor. In other words, it sets the base for the entire 120 minute film.
Despite the fact that it is based in Oklahoma, August: Osage County, is filled with Southern charm, class and a whole lot of Southern sass. Based on the play by the same name, August: Osage County is a dark dramatic-comedy that follows Violet Weston, played by Meryl Streep, and her dysfunctional family. Violet’s three daughters are called home by their pill-popping mother after the disappearance of her husband.

Every member of the family has secrets. These secrets are slowly revealed as the movie goes on. As the daughters come home to their mother, they try to keep their secrets hidden from their mother who suffers from mouth cancer, but still smokes, and an addiction to narcotics. But despite their best efforts, any secrets still hidden by the end of the movie are revealed by their know-all mother.

Barbara, played by Julia Roberts, was both her mother and father’s favorite growing up, but when she chose to leave the family in Oklahoma and move to Colorado with her husband, Ewan McGregor, and daughter, Abigail Breslin, she was seen as a traitor. Roberts and Streep played both of their strong-willed character perfectly and despite their profanity, they still make the characters look classy and add humor to the dark reality of the film. The other two sisters, Ivy, played by Julianne Nicholson and Karen, played by Juliette Lewis also add depth to the plot as well as some wild secrets. Both played their part perfectly, Nicholson as the quiet Ivy and Lewis as the ditzy Karen. Lewis herself is known for her grungy look and also for playing dark character, but she played the superficial ditz amazingly.

The casting directors for the film, Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee, should be awarded for their castings for every character. Not only did the actresses play the sisters perfectly, Violet’s sister, Mattie Fae, played by Margo Martindale and her family all fit their characters’ descriptions spot on.

Although the TV previews portray August: Osage County as a comedic drama, it is more dark than comedic. However, it still is a beautifully directed and each actor’s performance was amazing. This movie is definitely one to remember.

Grade: A