Monday, August 27, 2012

Sam Shepard in talks to play Meryl's husband in "August: Osage County"

The weekly revelations continue.  Variety is reporting that Sam Shepard is in talks to star alongside Meryl in the upcoming film August: Osage County.  Shepard would play Beverly Weston, the alcoholic family patriarch whose disappearance and ultimate death are the impetus for a tumultuous family gathering around which the story unfolds.  When I saw this news, the first thing I thought was "he's too young."  Turns out the man is 68.  I was thinking late 50's but then I remembered him starring in The Pelican Brief which I knew was in 1994 and figured he had to be at least mid 40's then.  It's interesting that in Pelican Brief he played Julia Roberts's boyfriend, and in August, he'll be her father.   Managing Beverly shouldn't be too much of a stretch for him, as in Pelican Brief his character was an alcoholic professor.  

This will be his third film with Julia.  How can we forget him as Dolly Parton's deadbeat husband Spud in Steel Magnolias?  With his nomination for 1984's The Right Stuff, Shepard would also make it six Academy Award nominees in the cast so far.  I'm going to continue to include Tom Wilkinson as "speculated" along with Shepard, but with the proximity of this news to the start of filming, I figure it's similar to Juliette Lewis over Andrea Riseborough.

I have to say that although Sam Shepard's character would technically be Benedict Cumberbatch's character's father, Chris Cooper (who plays his apparent father) looks more like Cumberbatch.  What do we think?


Shepard
 
Cumberbatch

Cooper

I don't know.   I suppose that isn't the the filmmakers' biggest priority.  Below you can see the current list as of tonight.  Ivy is still by far the heaviest role yet to be announced.  I'm not particularly suprised that they're either waiting on revealing it, or having trouble narrowing it down.  She's the most complex of the three sisters.

Violet Weston: Meryl Streep (confirmed)
Barbara Fordham: Julia Roberts (confirmed)
Charlie Aiken: Chris Cooper (confirmed)
Karen Weston: Juliette Lewis (confirmed)
Jean Fordham: Abigail Breslin (confirmed)
Beverly Weston: Tom Wilkinson (speculated, but I doubt it)
                            Sam Shepard (speculated, but likely to be confirmed)
Ivy Weston: Amy Adams (speculated, but again, I doubt it)
Mattie Fae Aiken: Margo Martindale (confirmed)
Steve Heidebrecht: Dermot Mulroney (confirmed)
Little Charles Aiken: Benedict Cumberbatch (speculated, but likely to be confirmed)

Roles yet to be (technically) confirmed:

Beverly
Little Charles (I've put this back in for the time being but I'm confident Cumberbatch is our man)
Ivy
Bill
Johnna
Sheriff Deon





Thursday, August 23, 2012

Benedict Cumberbatch in talks for "August: Osage County"

It appears we may have our Little Charles.  The Hollywood Reporter is, well, reporting that the star of BBC's Sherlock Holmes is in talks to join the cast of August: Osage County.  I've had the pleasure of seeing Cumberbatch in action in the aforementioned series thanks to Joe.   If you get a chance, check it out.  It's quirky, smart and funny.  I'm glad they have a Brit involved in this ensemble.  And Cumberbatch seems more than equipped to tackle the role of the simple, yet sensitive son of Mattie Fae and Charlie Aiken, played by Margo Martindale and Chris Cooper, respectively.  The full cast is rounding out very nicely:

Violet Weston: Meryl Streep (confirmed)
Barbara Fordham: Julia Roberts (confirmed)
Charlie Aiken: Chris Cooper (confirmed)
Karen Weston: Juliette Lewis (confirmed)
Jean Fordham: Abigail Breslin (confirmed)
Beverly Weston: Tom Wilkinson (speculated)
Ivy Weston: Amy Adams (speculated)
Mattie Fae Aiken: Margo Martindale (confirmed)
Steve Heidebrecht: Dermot Mulroney (confirmed)
Little Charles Aiken: Benedict Cumberbatch (speculated)

Roles yet to be confirmed:

Beverly
Ivy
Bill
Johnna
Sheriff Deon


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Meryl in "Downton Abbey"?

A little while ago I tweeted the article of Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes being quoted as saying he would like Meryl to be in his British period drama.  This is the second mention in two days of Meryl's name being associated with the hit PBS show.   On Monday a few cast members were asked that if a film were made who they saw as possibilities.  Meryl's name came up.  I didn't pay too much attention to that, but when I saw the Fellowes is a fan, my ears perked a tad. 

I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey.   When I was off work for thirteen weeks earlier this year recovering from shoulder surgery, I endured a short-term addiction to it.  Season three is set to air next month, and with it's popularity, the buzz about creating a feature film probably won't get any weaker.  I can't imagine that they wouldn't just use the regular cast in a film, unless they made some pretty major changes to the premise of the show.   They can always create new characters however, and seeing Meryl in any way part of this production or a similar production would be wonderful.  I liken it to my obsession with August: Osage County.   I saw the play six months before Meryl's name was ever linked to it.  It was and is so exciting to have a pairing of two things I very much enjoy. 

Downton Abbey is up for sixteen Primetime Emmys in September. 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Things

Nothing major to report, just wanted to throw down a few thoughts.  Hope Springs is doing okay at the box office.  Opened at #4, dropped a bit in week two.  The most important thing is that Meryl is getting amazing reviews. Gold derby continues to list her as #6 in the Best Actress Oscar hunt.  I made a bet with a friend this weekend (who said he had no interest in seeing Hope Springs and shall therefore remain nameless) that I believed that Meryl would win a Golden Globe for her role.  He was abhorred at the idea of her winning and thought it an impossibility...despite not seeing the film.  I told him that if Meryl wins in January (of course in musical/comedy) that every time he saw me for a year he had to bow down.  I will have to do the same if she loses.  I think she has a great shot at winning in this category.  The Hollywood Foreign Press is bananas for her, and there don't seem to be any other lead musical/comedy actresses that could outshine her at this point.  Everyone in Les Mis will go supporting.  Unless they commit category fraud with Hyde Park on Hudson for Laura Linney like they did for Michelle Williams last year with My Week with Marilyn

August: Osage County starts shooting in about a month.  Truly this is going to be an apeshit, 18-month ongoing siege of mine on the blog.  This weekend they posted video and pics of the house that was purchased for filming in Oklahoma.  Yes, that's worth reporting.  What's also worth reporting is that imdb has some teenage girl named Agathe Anne G listed as "rumored" to play Luna Weston in the film.  Um, who the fuck is Luna Weston?  I have not been able to fine anything else about this online.  Any further info would be much appreciated.  Sadly it's almost like I feel protective of the original script and cast of characters.  Okay not almost.  Completely. 

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Dermot Mulroney joins "August: Osage County"

We're getting there.  With the announcement that cutey Dermot Mulroney has been cast as Juliette Lewis's smarmy husband Steve Heidebrecht, we now have only six characters left to cast.  Considering shooting starts in under six weeks, I suppose we can expect about one cast member revealed weekly until then.  I've enjoyed several of Mulroney's movies in the past. My fav is probably Copycat with Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver.  Maybe I'll try to find it on Netflix tonight.  This film reunites Mulroney with Julia Roberts from their pairing in the hilarious My Best Friend's Wedding.  Here's the latest on casting:

Violet Weston: Meryl Streep (confirmed)
Barbara Fordham: Julia Roberts (confirmed)
Charlie Aiken: Chris Cooper (confirmed)
Karen Weston: Juliette Lewis (confirmed)
Jean Fordham: Abigail Breslin (confirmed)
Beverly Weston: Tom Wilkinson (speculated)
Ivy Weston: Amy Adams (speculated)
Mattie Fae Aiken: Margo Martindale (confirmed)
Steve Heidebrecht: Dermot Mulroney (confirmed)

These roles are yet to be confirmed:

Beverly
Ivy
Bill
Little Charles
Johnna
Sheriff Deon

Have I mentioned I'm excited for this project?  Ahhhh!



Sunday, August 12, 2012

One year anniversary of Word on the Streep

It's been 366 days (it's a leap year) since Joe suggested I create a blog in order that I may start writing and stop saying how much I enjoy Meryl.   Well, the writing has kind of had an opposite effect, in that I talk about her more than ever.  This blog has been a tremendously fun outlet for my weird interest in this great actress.  I would like to extend a thank you to anyone and everyone who's taken a moment to read even one post on Word on the Streep.  I've had visitors from six continents and thirty countries, and I hope you continue to tune in over the next year for my updates and opinions.  Please feel free to share your own as well! 

Meryl, if you're reading this...hi.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Film review: "Hope Springs" (2012)

As you can see to the right of your screen, I've had to update my profile to read "33 year-old."  Which means happy birthday to me!  As part of my fun-filled birthday weekend plan, Scooter and I did our usual cheesecake and Meryl movie combo last night.  We were finished with dinner a little early so we sat outside our theater for a bit while the showing before ours wrapped up.   As the 7:30 Hope Springers exited, I remarked to Scooter that the average age looked to be around 58 and female.  Sadly,  I felt right at home.

If you haven't already seen a synopsis of this film 1) get out from under your rock, and 2) continue reading.   Meryl and Tommy Lee Jones play Kay and Arnold Soames, a married Omahan couple whose relationship has become a tad stagnant.    Kay is particularly unhappy and decides to book a week-long trip in Maine for intensive couples therapy with renowned shrink Dr. Bernie Feld, played by Steve Carell. 

During the first moment of Meryl onscreen I was taken aback by how similar her appearance was to my own mother.  The outfit, necklace, glasses, hair and nose.  Eerily similar in this film to mom.  The other thing I quickly noticed was how Meryl decided to change her voice.  She lightened it in decibel and heightened in tone to depict a person who, very much like her character Linda in The Deer Hunter, deferred to others.  Namely her husband Arnold.

I grew up in the Midwest and I totally know this type of couple.  Married forever, kids are out the house, sex is long gone.  And nothing serious is talked about.   Decades of this pattern have virtually stifled Kay.  Arnold is content to stay quiet, grumpy, watch the Golf Channel, and sleep in a separate bedroom, historically due to his apnea and bad back.   Kay is unsatisfied with this, and after some grumbling and complaining, Arnold decides to join her on the uncomfortable journey of restoring intimacy back into their relationship.

The pair of actors do an exquisite job of portraying a couple with a long history.  I found myself taken through a series of several emotions throughout the film.  I actually laughed out loud at several points, which doesn't happen often for me at movies.  Streep and Jones did particularly good jobs of getting us to feel uncomfortable along with them as they were answering questions from their therapist as pointed as "do you climax." 

After several awkward assignments and conversations, Dr. Feld gets Arnold to get past his anger and tell his wife what he's thinking and feeling.  When they return home to put what they've learned into practice, Arnold quickly regresses to his old pre-Maine, closed off self.  When Kay ultimately realizes that if the status quo continues she won't be able to stay, Arnold comes to his senses and the two of them enjoy an apparently cathartic roll in the hay.  Yay.



In addition to Meryl's typical near perfection, Jones really shines in his role.  He plays Arnold as so damn cranky and frugal.  I remember Meryl saying in a promotional interview that during shooting she encouraged Jones to be as surly as possible, suggesting that is was sort of a Jackie Gleason effect.  The meaner you are, the more they'll like it.   And let's not forget Steve Carell, who was great in an understated, yet very believable role as Dr. Feld.  

This film is no exception when it comes to Meryl convincing me she's someone else.  Not for a moment did I doubt who she was.  Again, I think this was particularly challenging in this film for me, as I feel I know the type of woman she plays so well from my upbringing.  Bigger picture ideas are great to take away from the movie as well.  I don't think it should be considered a film only for seniors.  If anything, I think the message is more poignant for young adults in fledgling relationships.   Remembering that words matter.  Contact is necessary.  That we can't take our partners for granted.  These are not necessarily novel concepts, but seeing it represented in a comedic way, and with Meryl(!) helps as a fun refresher.

Having actually seen the film now, I can totally see how it could reasonably be pushed for acting awards.  Again, considering Meryl's history and the fact that she won the Oscar only in February, I think it's less likely for her than it would be for Jones.  That said, I would be shocked if Meryl weren't nominated (and won, frankly) the Golden Globe for actress in a musical or comedy.   I'm just going to sit back and let the web rumble with rumors and speculation.  As we conclude the Games of the XXX Olympiad this weekend, let the real games begin. 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

"August: Osage County" filming update

I came across an article today with some great info on filming info for Meryl's upcoming film August: Osage County.   I won't get into all the details, but one of the main things I noticed was Tracy Letts quoted as being in a struggle with Harvey Weinstein about the length of the film.  We have to keep in mind that the play was about three hours in length, but Letts reports that he's fighting a losing battle keeping it anywhere near that length.  Ultimately he thinks it'll end up being closer to a two hour film.   I get that the production company will find it more difficult to get butts in the seats with a movie over two and half hours in length, but having read the script, I really hope that a reasonable compromise is met so as not to delete too much of the titillating dialogue.  Especially Meryl's.  Here's hopin'.

I recommend people check out Awards Daily for a fun Meryl movie matrix that was posted today.  I enjoy the character heads.  Also, there are currently a bunch of great video clips of Meryl in interviews promoting Hope Springs on Simply StreepThe film is getting really good reviews.  White-knuckling it until tomorrow night.    Go see it!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

"Hope Springs" arrives

I think this is only the second time in a year of blogging that I've gone a week without posting!  Joe and I were in Santa Fe for a long weekend for the opera so this post is going to be kind of a Meghan Hodge podge of info.  That last little bit was in reference to the fact that for about ten days I've been watching the Olympics almost incessantly, and volleyball is one of my favorite events.  

So, as the title reads, Meryl's latest film Hope Springs has officially premiered in theaters.   The New York premiere was two days ago and I could technically walk out of my house right now and go see it at any number local theaters.   But I'll be waiting until Friday for my usual date with Scooter which will likely include a meal of buttery pasta and cheesecake prior to seeing the film.  So Golden Girls.  Friday will be the start to quite the weekend for me.  I get to see a new Meryl movie, Saturday is my birthday, and Sunday is the one year anniversary of Word on the Streep!

Meryl and Tommy Lee Jones have been doing a fair amount of press for the film and it's getting really good reviews.  I happened to just see the two of them on The View.  I have to say that the women on that show are maddening.  About half of the questions they asked were appropriate or interesting, but they would barely shut up long enough to let their guests answer.  The best part about the appearance is that at the end of the segment, Barbara Walters asked Meryl and Tommy Lee what they have coming up next.  Of course they didn't allow Jones the opportunity to answer, but Meryl mentioned that she was going to be making a movie of the play August: Osage County.   Just hearing her say it out loud was so exciting!  There are few more cast members to be announced, but filming should start next month.

I also want to mention that Meryl has been moved up to #6 in the gold derby Oscar predictions for Best Actress.   This is solely because The Great Gatsby has now been pushed back to a summer 2013 release and Carey Mulligan will therefore be ineligible for the upcoming awards season.   I'm looking forward seeing if after this weekend Meryl starts to be more included in the conversation for awards.  I maintain that I expect her to be in the running for a Golden Globe, but it seems like the film might pack a bit more dramatic punch that people were expecting.  This is the shit I totally eat up.

As a complete aside, while I was waiting for over an hour in the surgeon's office this morning for a two minute follow up on my shoulder,  I noticed an article on The Huffington Post revealing that Betty White recently said that working with Meryl "would be the honor of her life."  Is it possible that Meryl might still play someone's daughter in a film?  I guess we'll have to wait and see. 





Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Margo Martindale signed on as "Mattie Fae"

Deadline is reporting that veteran actress Margo Martindale has been cast as Mattie Fae in August: Osage County.  She'll play Meryl's sister and Chris Cooper's husband.  When I saw this news, I had to look up her name because I had no idea who she was...until I saw a picture.  I most remember her as the despicable mother to Hilary Swank's character in Million Dollar Baby, but also realized that she's already been in two Meryl movies.  She played the psychiatrist in Marvin's Room and Julianne Moore's babysitting neighbor in The Hours

She's a fantastic actress, and fits the mold for Mattie Fae perfectly, both physically and from what she's shown in her previous work as a character actress.  This news makes Martindale the only cast member who is not an Oscar nominee, although she won a Emmy last year for her supporting role in Justified on FX.  Um yeah, never caught that one. Regardless, I think she is wonderful  addition to the cast, despite my prediction of Dianne Wiest landing it.  It was also fun to see Deadline report in the article that shooting is set to begin in Oklahoma on September 24.  We knew it was likely happening around that time, but I don't recall ever seeing an official date.  Here's how the cast is shaping up.  So jazzed!

Violet Weston: Meryl Streep (confirmed)
Barbara Fordham: Julia Roberts (confirmed)
Charlie Aiken: Chris Cooper (confirmed)
Karen Weston: Juliette Lewis (confirmed)
Jean Fordham: Abigail Breslin (confirmed)
Beverly Weston: Tom Wilkinson (speculated)
Ivy Weston: Amy Adams (speculated)
Mattie Fae Aiken: Margo Martindale (confirmed)

***On a side note, as of yesterday Word on the Streep is on Twitter.  Check us out/follow us to keep up on the latest Meryl news and gossip!***