If you are in need of a great laugh, terrible cry, and a tremendous Meryl Streep performance, immerse yourself in August: Osage County. This is hands down one of the best movies I have seen, in a very long time. August: Osage County came out in theatres in 2013, but it was originally written as a play. It has been the talk of the town since coming out this this year on stage too. There is plenty of raw emotion depicted in the lives of three women in the film. Meryl Streep who plays Violet in the film is a furious, loudmouthed old lady, with zero tolerance for bullshit. She is essentially the “truth teller” and wants her daughters to hear every bit of what she has to say.
The movie begins with Violet’s husband hiring a native American to take care of her, as she is sick with oral cancer. When her husband fails to return, she is forced to call upon her daughters for help. This leads to constant arguments, insults, and painful relationships to play out.
“All women need makeup. Don’t let anybody tell you different. The only woman who was pretty enough to go without makeup was Elizabeth Taylor and she wore a ton,” Violet wittingly says after her daughter refuses to fix herself up. Her intimidating mouth tells it like it is, sayiing what many wouldn’t dare to say. Violet continues to torment her daughters about her appearance, as if it would finally make her snap. However, she ends up just looking through old pictures of her young, gorgeous self instead.
Violet’s daughters are extremely distant from each other. Nonetheless, their stories are not covered in as much detail as their mother’s. This makes it more difficult to relate to the characters.
I watched this movie again on Valentine’s Day, while everyone else was out watching the romantic comedy How to Be Single. I needed a more sensible approach to female problems and life choices. In other words, I needed a mother. Of course, Violet fit that criteria indefinitely. This movie is a wakeup call to women everywhere. Violet makes life a little harder, but sometimes you are in need of some tough love. So please, do your self the favor of watching this movie or seeing it live on stage. I guarantee you a cry!