Benedict Cumberbatch's triple feature tour through the Toronto International Film Festival has come to an end. It began with the world premiere of Bill Condon's The Fifth Estate, then came Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave, and finally John Wells' August: Osage County. With the screenings of the first two on that list we got some extended looks at new footage, including a new clip from the former and a featurette for the latter, but we've been left waiting for a new look at the adaptation of Tracy Letts' play of the same name. Two days after its debut at Toronto we now have this brand new trailer, courtesy of Yahoo!
While Cumberbatch has his own moment in the spotlight in this trailer, what you're really focusing on the whole time is the insane number of recognizable faces there are in the movie. Adapted by Letts himself, the story centers of the strong women of the expansive Weston family who are all brought back together in the Oklahoma homestead after a family crisis and must deal with their dysfunctional matriarch. In addition to Cumberbatch the film stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Dermon Mulroney, Sam Shepard, Julianne Nicholson, Chris Cooper and Margo Martindale.
When you get this kind of cast together you expect results, and according to our own Sean O'Connell August: Osage County definitely delivers. Present at the world premiere screening in Toronto, Sean wrote of the film in his review, "Every actor realizes this is an all-star ensemble, and when Wells gives them a turn in the spotlight, they all rise to the occasion. They rise to the occasion, having been handed fine-tuned dialogue that drips with scorn and attitude off each performer’s tongue." It's high praise for a film that is likely to find itself as on of the titles competing in this year's Oscar race (and not just because it's being released by The Weinstein Company).
If the finished result is as good as Sean says it is, then this is certainly an accurate preview. I'm a big fan of stories where characters are forced into a situation or location and just have to talk and talk to hash out their issues - this seems to be just that, plus packed with an insanely talented cast. Just from this trailer you can tell there are an incredible number of conflicts brewing under the surface and it should be entertaining to watch it all bubble over.
While August: Osage County is starting its buzz campaign now, sadly we still have a long time to wait before we get to see it for ourselves. Later this year it will be going toe-to-toe with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Jack Ryan, Grudge Match and 47 Ronin on Christmas Day, solidifying its entry into this year's award season.
