Director: John Wells
Starring: Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ewan McGregor
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have ability to catch the attention of audiences like Benedict Cumberbatch. Ever since his rise to fame amid the 1990’s, Cumberbatch has become a bold icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, strong sorcerers or action heroes, Cumberbatch has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Cumberbatch’s strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. His is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Even when he is not the main focus of a film, Cumberbatch has left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Cumberbatch has created a legacy which has been lasting. A British icon, Cumberbatch has become an iconic actor audiences cherish. By his abilities to play strong characters, Benedict has proven an actor audiences treasure. Throughout a career, Cumberbatch has made memorable movies which are absolutely worth taking about.
I’m a fan of Cumberbatch and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “August: Osage County” is without a doubt my favourite. Released in 2013, John Wells’ movie provided a beautiful adaptation of an iconic stage play. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about broken families. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, who embodies the member of a family facing a painful patch. Ultimately, what makes “August: Osage County” a masterpiece is its broad appeal. Unlike most stage adaptations, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. A strong adaptation of a stage play, there are many reasons why “August: Osage County” is worth watching.
Based on the beloved stage play, “August: Osage County” tells the story of a broken family facing a price to pay. Meryl Streep plays Violet Weston, a strict mother of a broken family facing tensions. Violet has often shared a tense relationship with her family facing tragedy. Preferring to spend time alone, Violet avoids interacting with family that proves out of her comfort zone. However, Violet’s life drastically changes when she is forced to reunite with family in a surprising get-together. Violet struggles to mend her broken bonds with her relatives chief among them Little Charles (Benedict Cumberbatch). As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Violet is soon forced to wonder whether her family would be able to overcome disaster.
John Wells is a newcomer towards stories of dysfunctional families. Before he had made “August: Osage County”, Wells hadn’t ever made a family drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved stage play about a doomed family, but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Wells captures a woman seeking to mend broken bonds with her family. Inspired with Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Wells expertly uses handheld camera to capture tensions that individuals in a dysfunctional family are facing. For instance, the handheld camera elevates the family argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Violet has a tense argument with her daughters during family meetings. Through handheld camerawork, Wells captures tensions broken families are facing. Handheld camerawork is a complex technique to use. As Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” suggested, handheld camera enhances slavery movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Wells creates a portrait of doomed families that’s compelling.
Another fantastic aspect of “August: Osage County” that deserves full appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is well made. Evoking Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty”, Wells effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of doomed American families experiencing adversity. Throughout the movie, Violet’s costumes showcase her strong transformation into a mother of a broken family. For instance, the costumes elevate the family funeral scene. During this heartfelt scene, Violet attends the funeral of a family relative that causes tension. Using stunning costumes, Mendes creates a portrait of dysfunctional families that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Gustavo Santaolalla’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere through capturing the burden that broken families bear. Though bold production, Santaolalla captures the lives of broken families facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “August: Osage County” is an adaptation of a stage play that’s engaging. The movie is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the tension which broken families are often facing. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the family dinner scene. During this memorable scene, Violet delivers an emotional speech expressing her views on her family. Through stunning dramatic monologues, Wells crafts a powerful portrait of dysfunctional families audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in movies. As Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate biopics about inventors. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Tyldum honours the legacy of a celebrated stage play.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers one of his best career performances as Little Charles. Cumberbatch first earned appreciation for playing tormented veterans in war dramas. With “August: Osage County”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and truly emotional in his trickiest role. Cumberbatch has often excelled at portraying emotional heroes under pressure, and “August: Osage County” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. With spellbinding expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a commemorated uncle in a broken family. It’s an excellent performance from one of the most beloved actors working today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Benedict Cumberbatch, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of praise. Meryl Streep is magnificent, capturing the despicable nature of a mother struggling to raise a dysfunctional family that’s stressful. Julia Roberts is remarkable, capturing the charisma of a woman struggling to mend her broken bonds with families that face a dilemma. Lastly, Ewan McGregor deserves appreciation. As a troubled son of a broken family, he brings heartbreaking emotion to the movie.
Finally, “August: Osage County” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing broken families that face adversity. Unlike most movies about dysfunctional families, it tackles strong themes everyone relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, mental health and trauma that will resonate with everyone for sure. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the Broadway play to appreciate it. Therefore, “August: Osage County” is one of those rare films everyone would adore.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about dysfunctional families facing a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with strong presence that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are absolutely without a single doubt definitely worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 