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Discussion: First reactions to Meryl's new movie
Member Since: 8/12/2012
Posts: 13,665
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Quote:
Originally posted by izzy
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Serena
could come strong, but they probably won't make it eligible.
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Member Since: 3/30/2009
Posts: 79,408
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Was there any doubt that she would earn raves again?
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Member Since: 3/13/2011
Posts: 5,631
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Quote:
Originally posted by rbautz
Serena
could come strong, but they probably won't make it eligible.
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Why not?
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Banned
Member Since: 11/24/2009
Posts: 61,404
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Please keep them coming, even the bad ones! I probably won't report you.
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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nnn OMG.
I can't wait for sth great by with Julia again and Queen Meryl in it, too
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Member Since: 8/24/2010
Posts: 9,422
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Quote:
Originally posted by Duca
Was there any doubt that she would earn raves again?
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Of course not. But especially not considering the material. I've read the script from the play and as it's said it wasn't changed much for the screenplay, I'm very excited. It's an extremely complex, intense, hysterical role. Had me cackling reading the script. I can already see her delivering all those insults like she's never done anything else in her life. That role was made for Meryl. She was never a concern, but it's reassuring to see all this praise.
Sweet Indian @TheLillyIndian
August: Osage County. it's the ELAIC, Lovely Bones, & Nine of the year. Tries way too hard... maybe like an acting nom for Streep. THAT'S IT
Hmm, I will need less reviews on the acting and more on the movie itself now.
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Member Since: 11/2/2011
Posts: 9,796
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Quote:
Originally posted by YSL
She's not, nor was she ever bigger than Meryl, in any decade.
She was just America's Sweetheart for a while, and the 90's weren't exactly Madonna's peak year.
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She was at the box office.
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Member Since: 6/9/2012
Posts: 11,144
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Ugh the play is flawless. Cant wait!
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Member Since: 9/1/2012
Posts: 13,195
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People here go to Awardsdaily??? Please tell me how to get back!!!!
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Member Since: 8/24/2010
Posts: 9,422
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Google is your friend. I don't know who this moviefreak dude is though, so I'm not sure if quoting things from different movie boards really mean anything, but here it goes:
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I think the film overall is very good. It's tough to talk about it's strength's without going into the acting because that's what the film main strength really is. That being said, I thought all the individual aspects, outside the pacing/editing (which of course can and likely will be fixed) were all very strong. The script is good and is a very faithful adaptation of the source material, but of course some changes are made so that some of the scenes are moved outside of the house. The dialogue if fantastic and very darkly funny. The direction is nothing super showy, but Wells lets the material breathe and the overall product doesn't feel stagey at all, when it really could have. I think they did a great job capturing the look and feel of the area where this takes place, which added to the sense of isolation that a lot of these characters feel. The film is also really gritty and rough, which also works really well.
As for nominations outside of acting, Picture (on the strength of its acting and that it will be a popular film) and Screenplay look like really good bets. Director, I'm not sure. Again, this isn't anything super showy, but the direction is none the less good and these kind of nominations do happen. If this is Harvey's main horse and the reviews are good (which, I imagine they will be), he can get Wells in. I also think the film will be a BO success. Meryl and Julia are huge draws and the film, while obviously having a dark edge, is very funny (the audience was bursting out in laughter the entire time) and entertaining.
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Do you guys think it is possible that we get reviews that say something like "It's usual to have Meryl deliver a strong performance with a strong role, but the revelation here is Julia Roberts", whch could propel Roberts to the nom?
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No, they won't get those kind of reviews. They will both have very strong mentions, but Meryl will have superlative ones. I can't see anyone just writing this off as merely, "Meryl is always good." If they raved her in The Devil Wears Prada, Julie & Julia and The Iron Lady, the critics will absolutely lose their **** for her here. Expect another NYFCC award, seriously. I actually think that this role was kind of a stretch for Meryl. She typically plays more sophisticated, intelligent women. Here, she is a boozy, foal-mouthed, salt of the earth mess, spending half the film without a wig, looking every bit the cancer patient. There is no vanity in this performance from her or anyone else really.
Julia, for her part, will also get strong reviews, but not Meryl strong. I just don't think most people will see them on the same level to nominate them alongside each other. Sure, she's a lead, but I can see a supporting campaign working and it's not like Harvey has had any issue with getting away with category fraud in the past.
http://awardsdailyforums.com/showthr...is-fall/page22
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I personally don't see how anyone could say this is a stretch for Meryl. If anyone can play this sort of role, it's her. It's everything she's done all mixed into one. I can't wait to see her acting a miserable high mess, swearing and just insulting basically everyone around her. It's going to be hilarious.
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Member Since: 7/17/2009
Posts: 8,833
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Member Since: 10/31/2011
Posts: 16,937
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Just read a review that says Meryl is old and basic and that Queen Julia STEALS the movie <3. I'll try and find the source laterrrrrr.
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Member Since: 12/3/2010
Posts: 14,971
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Even though I haven't seen the film yet, I wouldn't be surprised if she wins her fourth Oscar. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up winning 6 or 7 in her lifetime.
Greatest actress of our generation.
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Member Since: 6/7/2011
Posts: 10,608
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Another one
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One of my connections who wishes to remain anonymous but has allowed me to share his reaction has said:
"Just saw the rough cut of August Osage County. Strangely we were not asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and there was no 'review embargo' per se. The movie itself is not a towering achievement. There is very little visual flair and the majority of the story is told through the words and the acting. It feels like the director just sat back and let the cast do what they want. This will struggle to be recognized by tech branches at the Oscars, maybe nominations for costumes and makeup are possible.
The actors branch will go gaga over this. Julia Roberts is certainly in the running. Weinstein will definitely place her in supporting and everybody will whine and scream about it being fraud, because it is. But Weinstein will be Weinstein. Unless some huge contender comes out in the Supporting Actress race, they might as well engrave Roberts' name into the statue right now.
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. After seeing this, I would actually encourage the team behind 'Diana' to push the film back a year. Naomi Watts will have to play Diana the same way that Day-Lewis played Lincoln (completely unrecognizable, disappearing into the role) to overtake Meryl. The male actor in this film that surprised me was Chris Cooper. He hasn't done much since he won his Oscar but is marvelous here. Leaving the theater I actually heard more people talking about him than Streep/Roberts. If they field turns out to be soft for supporting actors this year watch out for his comeback. I know that many peeople including myself are hoping for Benedict Cumberbatch to make a breakthrough at the Oscars this year but it won't be for this film. Regardless, I do think this will get a Best Picture nominations (due to passion as well as The Weinstein Co) and has a spot saved in adapted screenplay. Won't be a huge player but will be a player indeed."
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Member Since: 8/24/2010
Posts: 9,422
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A longer review from Kim who was tweeting after the test screening last night. If you feel like reading it in all its glory with gifs posted all over the thing as she's in full stan mode, click the link. Or else, here it is:
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“You’re both MONSTERS!” – An Early Review of August: Osage County
Last night Sage and I had the privilege of being among the first ever audience to see the film of August: Osage County. I saw the play twice on Broadway (once with the Original Cast and once with Phylicia Rashad in the role of Violet) and I count it as the greatest play I have ever seen. Seriously. The play was over three hours and it felt like NOTHING. When I met Amy Morton (who played Barbara) through work, I completely fangirled over her.
Needless to say, when the movie was announced I had a LOT of feelings, especially about the casting. I had heard from Amy herself that Julia Roberts was circling her role, and I was appalled. JULIA ROBERTS?? The same Julia Roberts who hasn’t done anything to challenge herself since Erin Brokovich? The Julia Roberts who it has seemed has been content to coast by on her Julia Roberts-ness? How could SHE be the one to tackle the complex, brittle and viciously witty role that is Barbara Weston Fordham?? (Personally, I had cast Laura Linney in that role)
And Meryl as Violet? Could you be anymore obvious? Yes, it is the greatest living actress in quite possible one of the greatest female roles of the past decade, but it just felt like the safe choice. And would Julia Roberts REALLY be able to hold her own against Meryl Freaking Streep? The dynamic between Barbara and Violet is SO important to the story, and the women have to be true equals to make it compelling. And to top it off, the movie was being helmed by a television director making his first feature film. Would he be able to wrangle a sprawling ensemble full of movie stars and a script that depended heavily on timing? (At the time of his announcement, I was unfamiliar with John Wells and his work on both E.R. and The West Wing, both of which have large ensembles and fast paces.)
So yes. It was with great trepidation that I went into this screening.
Well. This is me taking back everything I said in the intro. Especially regarding Julia Roberts.
I’m happy to report that August: Osage County is AMAZING. It’s one of those movies that is so engrossing that you completely forget what is going on in your life for those 2 and a half hours and you leave it invigorated. It was exactly what both Sage and I needed yesterday.
The screenplay was adapted by its playwright, Tracy Letts, so the majority of A:OC remains intact from its stage incarnation, which thrilled me to no end. As there always is in an adaptation, especially with a play that had a three and a half hour running time, there are something elements that are cut. But there was nothing I found egregious and many scenes (including quite possibly the greatest scene around a dinner table EVER) are lifted directly from the play with no sort of adjustment.
And the ENSEMBLE. There is not a weak link in it. Everyone from Abigail Breslin to Ewan McGregor to Emmy Winner (and probably Supporting Actress nominee) Margo Martindale to Queen Meryl is in top form. Benedict Cumberbatch fans (aka Cumberbitches) are going to lose their MINDS over him in this movie. Little Charles is definitely a supporting role, but it’s a meaty one and he has three excellent scenes. In fact, the projector broke during Benedict’s last scene and Sage and I went NUTS. The screening paused for a good 20 minutes, which while it was a shame to break up the pace of the movie, it was great to be able to sit and discuss it with people around us. A girl behind us hears us say the phrase “Cumberbitches” and immediately started fangirling with us. The guy sitting next to her butted into the conversation when he heard us start talking about Doctor Who, saying “Wait…girls watch Doctor Who?”
Um.
Yes. Girls watch Doctor Who.
He then proceeded to ask us which episode he should start on if he wanted to watch. Obviously, we said “Rose”. OUR WORK IS NEVER DONE.
Finally, the projector was fixed AND they rewound the movie to the point at where it had broken. Which thank God, because Benedict’s final scene.
He plays piano and sings a song, y’all. Get ready, Cumberbitches. You’re gonna die.
But clearly, A:OC is the Julia and Meryl show. From the moment Meryl first appeared on-screen I was blown away. I don’t know why I am surprised. As I said earlier, she IS our greatest living actress. But her Violet is a revelation, and this is coming from someone who saw Deanna Dunagan’s Tony-winning performance. Meryl is fearless and you really do believe that no matter HOW strung out on her beloved pills she is nothing gets by her and she is always sitting like a spider ready to strike. She also, in very Meryl fashion, has a heartbreaking monologue that shows the heart of why Violet is the way she is. She does it with letting the one single tear fall. And it is magnificent.
I know it is only March. And we have no idea what else what will happen in the crazy thing called the Oscar Race. But Meryl Streep is on her way to her 18th Oscar Nomination and probably her fourth Oscar. Her Violet Weston is a character and a performance that cannot be denied.
It’s also why I was SO ANGRY that she won for The Iron Lady. Because I KNEW this performance was coming. I can’t wait for you all to see it.
And Julia, Julia, Julia. The fact that she turned in this performance makes me angry. Angry because it is so good and why can’t she be this good ALL THE TIME. Was it Wells that brought it out of her? Or the fact that it was a character she desperately pursued and wanted to play. Whatever it is, I have never seen Julia Roberts this good dramatically, and that includes her Oscar Winning turn in Erin Brockovich. From the moment she appeared on-screen in frumpy clothes with a middle-aged body and gray roots showing, I knew we were going to be okay. It is a performance free from vanity. There is not one single “Julia Roberts” thing about this performance. She IS Barbara. She is strong yet tired. You believe every word that comes out of her mouth and you can feel the burden she is carrying. And she delivers Barbara’s vicious one-liners perfectly. If it wasn’t for Meryl, I would say that she would be the one getting all the awards attention.
After filling out our surveys (and essentially checking “excellent” for everything), Sage and I made our way out of the theatre. And who did we spot among the crowd? Harvey Weinstein himself, animatedly chatting with people from the screening.
I swore I saw Oscar statues dancing in his eyes.
http://www.headoverfeels.com/2013/03...-osage-county/
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Member Since: 10/31/2011
Posts: 16,937
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The male actor in this film that surprised me was Chris Cooper. He hasn't done much since he won his Oscar but is marvelous here. Leaving the theater I actually heard more people talking about him than Streep
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Très intéressant.
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Member Since: 10/1/2011
Posts: 21,257
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meryl and julia two of my fav actresses together
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Member Since: 8/24/2010
Posts: 9,422
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The first two posters have arrived. Harvey Weinstein better serve.
Meryl's movie once again.
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Member Since: 12/25/2011
Posts: 9,073
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4th oscar is coming
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Member Since: 9/20/2011
Posts: 3,218
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Who else but the greatest actress of all time?
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