American Hustle-- making Bradley Cooper just that much more creepy. But seriously, I was really looking forward to this movie.  Once it started I was immediately in love with the music and the hair.  Oh the hair.  The cast is perfect-- wouldn't change a thing.   But did I love this movie?  No, I did not. Should it be up for best picture?  Um, No.

The acting was pretty good- everything should have fallen into place, but for me the story line fell flat and, dare I say, predictable?   I know, I know-- probably went in with my hopes too high.  My Oscar attitude is a bit cynical but I challenge you all to watch it and tell me this is an Oscar worthy movie on the best picture level.  

I can't help but wonder if I will change my tune the more movies I bang out this month.  Another movie I was hyped up to see was August: Osage County but after the review, well .... not so much.   

So I encourage you all to see it as you will be entertained but not at the level I would have hoped.

August: Osage County

 

I'll be honest, this is the third attempt at writing this review. I feel like I should wait until I'm not quite so angry but then again venting makes you feel better. Or so I am led to believe by this ponderous movie.

 

My main issue with this movie? You take a play, adapt it to the screen but purposely ignore that a movie allows a character to protray things in a more nuanced way. For me, this movie was so over the top it was painful. Every character seemed like a stereotype dialed up to 10...which I get works on the stage, in fact MUST happen on stage. The creepy guy, check. The good sister, check. The flaky sister, check.The hard-boiled sister, check. The cheating husband, check. Yes, yes, yes, your family is more dysfuntional than mine. You win.

 

I was ready to love this movie based on the cast alone but I didn't care about any of these people and found myself envying the characters that got to drive away.

 

 

 

"I was the least interesting part of this movie."

 

 

 

And for THAT Osage County, I can never forgive you.

 

 

 

"Meryl Streep is here. She was so brilliant in August: Osage County, proving that there are still great roles for Meryl Streeps over 60."
                               - Tina Fey, 2014 Golden Globes