Meryl Streep is Shady Matriarch in August: Osage County

While I was on Broadway in Avenue Q playing Gary Coleman, across the street was the Pulitzer Prize winning Tracy  Letts play August: Osage County.  For months I was eager to go see it and when Phylicia Rashad was announced to replace Tony Winner Deanna Dunnigan as Violet Weston…I knew I had to see it!!!

Rashad was spectacular and was truly remarkable to behold.

So, when word got out a film version was in the works with Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, I knew once again that I had to see it.  I was not disappointed and neither will you!

August: Osage County lets us in on the Weston family in Oklahoma whose daughters are back home with mother and the dysfunctional relationship they all grew up in. Unfortunately, we are introduced to the Weston women reunion due to circumstances involving a family tragedy.

All of the performances are noteworthy, but Meryl Streep once again gives us an onscreen master class illustrating why she is one of the most lauded actresses in American history. Running a close second is Emmy Winner Margot Martindale as Mattie Fay Aiken, who makes you hate her and breaks your heart all at the same time. Julia Roberts returns to her southern roots as the eldest Weston daughter Barbara Weston and reminds you why as film goers we fell in love with her in the first place. Juliette Lewis as Ivy Weston is delightfully kooky, however, it is Julianne Nicholson whose performance riddled with range and pain making her truly unforgettable.

Let’s not forget the men. Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard, Ewan McGregor area all equally impressive. However, it is Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken that really makes you stand up and take notice.