August: Osage County (2013)
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A dysfunctional family reunites at their rural home following the mysterious disappearance and subsequent death of their patriarch.
The story
In the sweltering heat of rural Oklahoma, the Weston family gathers at their home following the disappearance of the patriarch, Beverly, a noted poet and author. His wife, Violet, a woman struggling with cancer and addiction, faces a tense reunion with her sisters and daughters. The family is joined by a young local woman, Johnna, hired as a caregiver. As the initial shock of Beverly's disappearance settles, the family must navigate their complex, fractured relationships and the heavy atmosphere of their shared history while awaiting news of his whereabouts.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the news that Beverly Weston has drowned, the family gathers for a funeral and a tense dinner. During the gathering, Violet's erratic behavior leads to a physical confrontation with her daughter Barbara. The plot thickens as secrets emerge: Mattie Fae reveals she had an affair with Beverly, making 'Little Charles' the children's cousin and half-brother. Meanwhile, a scandal involving a local man, Steve, and the young girl Jean leads to a violent intervention by Johnna. The truth about the family's lineage and Violet's knowledge of it causes a rift between the sisters. Ultimately, the truth about Violet's actions regarding the family's finances and her knowledge of Beverly's fate leads to a final, bitter separation of the family members, leaving Violet alone with her caregiver.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Wells
- Writers
- Tracy Letts · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Meryl Streep · Violet Weston; Julia Roberts · Barbara Weston-Fordham; Ewan McGregor · Bill Fordham; Chris Cooper · Charles Aiken Sr.; Abigail Breslin · Jean Fordham; Benedict Cumberbatch · Charles "Little Charles" Aiken Jr.; Juliette Lewis · Karen Weston; Margo Martindale · Mattie Fae Aiken; Dermot Mulroney · Steve Huberbrecht; Julianne Nicholson · Ivy Weston; Sam Shepard · Beverly Weston; Misty Upham · Johnna Monevata
- Genres
- tragicomedy; comedy-drama; black comedy
- Themes
- dysfunctional family; addiction; sibling rivalry; hidden secrets
- Tone and mood
- tense; dark; tragic
- Setting
- A rural area outside Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in the month of August.
- Premise and plot tags
- family drama; rural setting; drug addiction; mystery
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2007 play by Tracy Letts
- Reception
- The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise for the cast and debate over the screenplay's tone.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 45
- Awards and nominations
- Oscar · Best Actress · nomination; Oscar · Best Supporting Actress · nomination
- Production trivia
- Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were considered for the role of Karen.; Juliette Lewis replaced Andrea Riseborough due to scheduling conflicts.; Chloë Grace Moretz also auditioned for the role of Jean.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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