Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Early screening of "August: Osage County" sees raves for Meryl

Ahhhh! Ok, I'm a bit slow to the party on posting this, but I wanted to make sure one, it was really happening, and two, I was able to round up a lot of online feedback from people who were actually there.  Check and check.  So, a few days ago I learned that there was going to be a screening in New York City on the 18th.  Of course I got excited, but didn't want to get my hopes up until there was some legitimate confirmation.  After I realized it was really happening, I decided to just patiently await the likely onslaught of rabid tweeters more than happy to spill.  They did not disappoint.  Bottom line is that the overall reaction to the movie itself was favorable, but the response to Meryl's performance as pill-popping, mouth cancer-stricken, boosing, mean mom Violet was, well...overwhelmingly highly-praised.  Here are a few examples of tweets and blog comments:

"As for Meryl, right now she is unstoppable. This is such a huge performance for her, she touches so many emotions and has this acting force behind her that I haven't seen since The Bridges of Madison County."

"It's done. Meryl is winning her 4th Oscar next year.  Move over, Katharine Hepburn."

"August: Osage County. Ben: sweet. Story: fucked up. Meryl Streep: Oscar."

"This is a pure tour-de-force, acting with a capital A showstopper. The entire cast is very strong, but Meryl devours them all. She gets to be funny, mean, loud, hammy, crazy, physical, subtle all at the same time. You hate her and your heart breaks for her. Even people who don't typically love this type of performance should find something here. This is a role made to win awards and I can easily see her becoming undeniable despite her recent win just like DDL did."

"Was the first audience to see the screening of August: Osage County with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.  I have no words. Incredible."

I get that we have no idea from whom these hyperbolic gushings come.  Are they Weinstein Company plants?  I doubt it, and frankly I don't care.  My all-time favorite thing when enjoying my "Meryl work" (wow) is reading or hearing super celebratory commentary about her performances.  And I realize it's fucking March and we're still ten months away from Oscar nominations and over seven months from the movie even being released nationwide.  Again, I don't care.  It's too fun to speculate.

Another piece of the puzzle that's becoming more clear is potential category placement for Meryl and Juia Roberts.  From what I've read, people are leaning toward Roberts going supporting.  We know that her role of Barbara is truly a co-lead with Meryl.  After all, Amy Morton was nominated for a Tony alongside Deanna Dunagan (who won) in lead.  But the talk is that Roberts has given one of her best performances and could challenge for the win in supporting.  Let's get one thing straight: for everyone out there thinking that Julia would cop an attitude about going supporting, get serious.  She'd be going supporting to Meryl f-ing Streep, and if she has a better than 50-50 chance of winning in supporting versus a less than 50-50 chance of even getting a nomination in lead...she'll take the former.  Done.  And Margo Martindale will give her a run for her money in that category too.

Full force Meryl Streep machine 2013 underway.   


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