Wednesday
Sep122012
Ewan joins the cast of "August: Osage County"
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 4:08PM 
Julia Roberts. Meryl Streep.
Margo Martindale. Abigail Breslin. Juliette Lewis. Cumberbatch. Chris Cooper. Dermot Mulroney. And Sam Shepard as Beverly Weston.
_____
insert squeal here to stifle the natural hyperbolic reaction.
Reader Comments (71)
Beau, wonderful post. I ready that Sarah wrote the part with Julie in mind, and she campaigned, cajoled and stalked Julie into doing the film. One of the great things about loving old movies is I can tell my little sister about actors she doesn't know. When I told her to watch Away From Her for Julie's magic-making, my sister was blown away by La Christie's beauty, poise and irresistible charm. It's been said that people suffering from Alzheimer's lose the capacity for dishonesty. Julie's truth has always been right there--on the screen.
I'm madly in love with Ewan, but he's totally wrong for that role. Too young, too cool, too cute ... you name it.
I must confess that I cringe every time I read or hear that August: Osage County is the best American play of the past decade.
PS Kathy Bates get well. I love you.
@Peggy Sue: I'm personally not one for three act structures in general. I think they belong in the time of O'Neill, Miller and Williams. It's not to say that they can't hold my attention still, or that they don't serve their purpose beautifully; I just think that if we're to advance the nature of storytelling, we have to be more willing to confront the form, not conform to it. Play.
For my money? The best script for the stage I've read in the last few years was Annie Baker's 'The Aliens'. As raw and real as anything Chekhov ever wrote, kind, compassionate, and genuinely, genuinely moved me. There was a moment in the text where my jaw dropped, and I haven't had one of those in quite a long time.
@Beau - Now I won't rest until I read it! Thanks a lot...
I wonder how much say Streep had about casting. I know she has worked with SO MANY people! But still! There's Margo Martindale, who was with Streep in three films, and Chirs Cooper, who was in tears at the Oscars when he thanked her for her support during their only collaboration, Adaptation.
And then the imdb says that Renee Zellweger, another Streep costar, auditioned for the role of Karen, eventually taken by Juliette Lewis. (This would have been the second time they played mother and daughter).
By the way...
4rtful: Also according to the imdb, Kathy Bates turned down the role of Mattie Fae.
4rtful Let Joe U.K. speak for himself.... you are a self-centered .. *gee, my phone just rang*
@ Marcos: I follow Bates on Twitter when asked about Osage County she said she's not in it. Not that she turned them down.
@ rick: Thank you for letting me know I'm the mature one out of you and I.
Beau..
I agree that many of the actresses on your list could be wonderful for the part ... but why should Streep be dissed because she got the part. They want this movie to be a success ( financially and to get quality that people will go and see. So using Streep at this point in her career makes it more likely to happen ( Roberts,too )... Streep spent many of her years with lousy choices thrown at her, and now she can choose. She won't damage the play ... the only movie she damaged IMO was "Doubt"... and she wasn't horrible.
Mature? With the vocabulary you use on this site, I am glad I am the immature one.
By the way, it is "out of you and me" ( object of the preposition )
I am through with this dance!
4rtful is such a fanboy for Streep. He shows up in everything related to Meryl Streep.:) IMO, any film with Chis Cooper, Margo, Ewan, and Sam Shepard as first supporting actors is worth anticipation.
@Rick: oh, no! I'm fine with her in the role and you're absolutely right! She brings with her star power, marketing, and audiences. And she's worked very, very hard to get to that point.
But it is interesting to dream about all those actresses in that role. :)
If her being in the film (her best career choice I think since The Hours or Adaptation) helped it get made at all and bring all these wonderful people together, that's just fine with me. :)
Always grateful for adult-themed fare, even if it turns out not to be great. There's still someone making these things. :)
Streep is in it... She is the most nominated actress ever.... She will be amazing like always... So get over it!!!
rick with a lower case r...I accept you anyway.
It's pretty wonderful that an actress of Streep's age can be "box office." But it's terribly sad that there are very few others...possibly Barbra Streisand, Diane Keaton and Jane Fonda. It's a stupid society that allows actresses to lose their bankability as they grow older, and usually more talented. I'd plop down 15 bucks any ole time to see Julie Christie, Jessica Lange, Ellen Burstyn or any of the aforementioned ladies take charge of a film.
@Beau
You are a great mediator .. said in sincerity ... I'm sorry, but I am not sure if you have your own blog or just are a guest on Nathaniel's ... I would love to read yours if you have one. Thanks!!
@ rick
I don't understand your comment. I have experience as an actor and a filmmaker, but why would that matter? My opinion is based on my years of watching movies, tv and going to the theatre. I guessing you disagree with it, I can live with that!
@rick: That's very sweet of you. :) Thank you. I learn so much from just listening to other people's opinions, and I've always loved hearing different perspectives on any subject. It balances me, keeps me curious. I don't have a blog right now, I'm a little hesitant to jump into the blogosphere still. But Nat's been incredibly kind to let me contribute on here, and I'm so unbelievably grateful for the opportunity. It's a wonderful opportunity for me to hone my 'voice', so to speak, and learn more in regards to structure, syntax, semantics... the three 'S's I suppose. :) He's been a dear.
Plus: I love being in this community of cinephiles. When I was younger, I felt like no one else shared a common interest in film, theatre, anything. Now that the internet has evolved as it has, I get to experience the joy of having these conversations that I could have only dreamed about back then. It's a wonderful thing. :)
Beau -- Thanks! I'll really try to read that one.
Margo Martindale was THE most inspired casting for this film. She deserves great roles like this and I hope she receives tons of positive attention. And I still think Streep with rock this one folks, as usual.
@Joe U.K.
My comment was not that obscure ... you just answered my question about your credentials on acting other than an opinion. I appreciate that!
Can anyone give some quotations from the play in which it discusses the theme of dishonesty, emotionally connected by past and pretense of what's real and not . THANK YOU