FILM REVIEW - " August : Osage County " - In 1966, there was a play made into a film called "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf".  It was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards and won five.  Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor screamed at each other for two hours.  Great acting ,but very painful to watch.  It still is, and maybe that's why it doesn't make the conversations about the best films of all time.  Enter this year's version with Meryl Streep ,  Julia Roberts and company.   Their voices are still echoing in my ears, even after a week.  Again, the acting is great and not just from the stars. Academy Awards nominations for Best Actress and Supporting Actress have been given to Streep and Roberts and rightfully so.  But, it is painful to watch.  Good movies should reflect real life and this does.  Difficult themes of substance abuse, divorce , infidelity, and growing up in dysfunctional families, test the audience's strength to keep focused and entertained.  Director John Wells does give us some moments to catch our breath , but other scenes are so intense, that 125minutes can seem like an eternity for anyone who has experienced these themes in their own lives.  For others, constant verbal jousting may just make them uncomfortable, even if it is done well.
   If you are one of the lucky ones to be around the theater and film in high school , college or later in life, go see and appreciate the skills you have come to love.   The cast is great , the cast is great, the cast is great.  I want to see them with a different script.   Special mention must go to Abigail Breslin as a 14 year old who lights up the screen at every appearance.   I'm torn with this review.  If you go, bring ear plugs and hold on.
Rated R   EJ rating ** 1/2