August: Osage County (released in theaters on Dec. 27, 2013), directed by John Wells and adapted by Tracy Letts from his own Pulitzer Prize-winning play, is a visceral, darkly comedic exploration of the generational trauma embedded in the American soil.
Set against the sweltering heat of rural Oklahoma, the film serves as a high-octane showcase for an incredible ensemble cast, stripping away the veneers of polite society to reveal the jagged edges of a family held together by resentment and shared history.
The story begins with the disappearance and subsequent death of Beverly Weston (Sam Shepard), a poet and alcoholic patriarch. This tragedy forces a reunion at the family estate, presided over by Violet (Meryl Streep), the vitriolic, pill-popping matriarch currently battling mouth cancer.
Her three daughters return home: the eldest, Barbara (Julia Roberts), who is struggling with her own failing marriage to Bill (Ewan McGregor) and her rebellious daughter Jean (Abigail Breslin); the flighty Karen (Juliette Lewis), who arrives with a dubious fiancé (Dermot Mulroney); and the quiet Ivy (Julianne Nicholson), who harbors a secret romance with her cousin “Little Charles” (Benedict Cumberbatch).
The household is further populated by Violet’s blunt sister Mattie Fae (Margo Martindale) and her gentle husband Charlie (Chris Cooper), along with the stoic live-in caregiver Johnna (Misty Upham).
As the family gathers for a post-funeral dinner, the atmosphere quickly turns toxic.
Fueled by Violet’s drug-induced honesty and Barbara’s simmering anger, the dinner descends into a brutal verbal (and eventually physical) war. Secrets regarding infidelity, parentage, and long-held grievances are weaponized, systematically dismantling the relationships between the sisters and their mother.
By the time the Oklahoma heat breaks, the Weston family is fundamentally fractured, leaving the survivors to reckon with the reality that some bonds are forged in fire and others are simply burned away.
August: Osage County premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2013.
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Jean Doumanian, and Steve Traxler produced the film.
Julia Roberts in August: Osage County (Photo/The Weinstein Company)
Reception for August: Osage County
August: Osage County grossed $179,302 on its opening weekend, in limited release on five screens.
The film would open wide on Jan. 10, 2014 and grossed $7.2 million to finish in seventh place at the box office.
August: Osage County grossed $74.2 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
August: Osage County is primarily defined by its colossal “clash of the titans” performances between Streep and Roberts. Both actresses received Academy Award nominations for their work, with the film being remembered for the raw, unvarnished intensity they brought to their roles.
It stands as a definitive example of a successful stage-to-screen adaptation that preserves the claustrophobic, wordy brilliance of its source material while utilizing the vast, empty landscapes of Oklahoma to emphasize the characters’ isolation.
The film is frequently cited in discussions of the “Southern Gothic” or “Plains Gothic” genre, praised for its unflinching portrayal of addiction and the cycle of abuse.
It has left a lasting impact on how domestic dramas are staged, proving that a story centered entirely on dialogue and character dynamics can be as thrilling as any action blockbuster.
August: Osage County remains a favorite for acting students and fans of heavy drama alike, serving as a powerful, often painful reminder of the complexity of the maternal bond and the heavy, inescapable weight of family legacy.
