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August: Osage County

August: Osage County 2013

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of August: Osage County (2013). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film unfolds during a sweltering August in a rural district near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, just 60 miles Northwest of Tulsa. It centers around the deeply troubled Beverly Weston, an alcoholic former poet, who seeks the help of a young Cheyenne woman, Johnna, to serve as a live-in cook and caretaker for his fiercely independent wife, Violet, portrayed by the talented Meryl Streep, who is grappling with oral cancer and a substance abuse problem. Shortly after Johnna’s arrival, Beverly mysteriously vanishes, prompting Violet to reach out to her estranged family for assistance.

Violet’s sister, Mattie Fae, accompanied by her husband Charles Aiken, soon arrives to lend her support. Meanwhile, Ivy, Violet’s middle daughter, the only one left in Oklahoma, and her eldest daughter, Barbara, a woman seemingly shaped by her mother’s harshness, come together with their families in an atmosphere charged with unaddressed tension. Barbara, who has brought along her estranged husband Bill and their teenage daughter Jean, aims to maintain a façade of unity in the face of Violet’s deteriorating health.

Tragedy strikes when the sheriff reports that Beverly has drowned, prompting the arrival of the youngest daughter, Karen, who walks in with her latest boyfriend, Steve Huberbrecht, a dubious businessman from Florida whom she introduces as her fiancé. A poignant moment occurs when Little Charles, Mattie Fae and Charles’s awkward and insecure son, misses the funeral due to oversleeping. The strained dynamics within the family become glaringly evident as Ivy confides a secret to her sisters: she is romantically interested in her cousin, Little Charles, who is contemplating a move to New York. However, Ivy grapples with sadness as she shares her inability to bear children, a consequence of a prior hysterectomy, making her dream of marriage feel unreachable.

The situation escalates during a post-funeral dinner where the atmosphere is thick with emotions. Violet, under the influence of drugs, begins to unleash her cruel tongue, verbally assaulting her family members, culminating in a fiery clash with Barbara. Fueled by pent-up frustration over her mother’s addiction, Barbara retaliates physically, forcing Violet to confront her dependency by confiscating her numerous pills. In an unexpected moment of clarity, Violet opens up about the pain inflicted upon her by her own mother—a Christmas when she was given old, decrepit men’s boots instead of the cowgirl boots she desired, a lesson in cruelty that lingers in her memory.

As tensions rise, Little Charles musters the courage to share a song he composed for Ivy, but is interrupted by Mattie Fae’s harsh criticism, which finally pushes Charles to confront his wife about her lack of affection for their son. The situation spirals when Mattie Fae inadvertently reveals that Little Charles is also Beverly’s illegitimate son, complicating Ivy’s feelings further.

The plot thickens when a moment of intoxicated recklessness occurs between Steve and Jean. Their evening takes a dark turn as Steve attempts to assault Jean, leading to a courageous intervention by Johnna who attacks him with a shovel. The chaos awakens the rest of the family, culminating in a confrontation that sees Barbara slapping Jean, driving her into a panicked departure back to Colorado with her father, Bill. Karen, in denial about her failing relationship with Steve, also chooses to leave, locking herself in a cycle of unresolved issues.

In a heartfelt attempt to confide in her mother about her relationship with Little Charles, Ivy finds instead that Violet already knows the painful truth—that Charles is both her cousin and her brother. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Ivy vows never to return. The film reaches a tragic climax when Barbara learns that Violet was aware of Beverly’s suffering but failed to act until it was too late, leading to his suicide. This revelation shatters Barbara’s resolve as she realizes her mother cannot be saved.

The emotional weight of the family’s unraveling leaves Violet with only Johnna for companionship. In a moment of solitude, she begins to dance to the music, but her grief catches up, and she retreats in search of Johnna’s comfort. Meanwhile, Barbara, feeling the immense burden of her family’s dysfunction, drives alone through the plains, wrestling with tears as she contemplates her next steps, ultimately setting her sights westward towards an uncertain future.

Timeline

Track the key events of August: Osage County (2013) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Beverly Weston hires Johnna

In a rural Oklahoma district during a sweltering August, troubled poet Beverly Weston hires a young Cheyenne woman named Johnna to serve as a cook and caretaker for his independent wife, Violet. This decision marks the beginning of tumultuous family dynamics, as Beverly is struggling with alcoholism and Violet is facing serious health issues.

August Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Beverly disappears

Shortly after Johnna's arrival, Beverly mysteriously vanishes without a trace. This disappearance prompts Violet to reach out to her estranged family members, setting off a chain reaction of visits and confrontations filled with tension.

Mattie Fae and Charles arrive

Violet's sister Mattie Fae arrives with her husband Charles Aiken to provide assistance. This visit adds to the already strained atmosphere as family members gather to confront their issues surrounding Violet's health and Beverly's absence.

Daughters come together

Ivy, the only daughter remaining in Oklahoma, reunites with her estranged sister Barbara, who arrives with her husband Bill and their teenage daughter Jean. The reunion is marred by unspoken tensions and past grievances, complicating their attempts to present a united front.

Tragic news

The sheriff arrives with devastating news that Beverly has drowned, leading to the family's further disintegration. The news prompts the arrival of the youngest daughter, Karen, who arrives with her dubious fiancé, Steve Huberbrecht.

Ivy confides in her sisters

Ivy shares a secret with her sisters regarding her romantic interest in her cousin, Little Charles. The revelation is tinged with sadness as Ivy struggles with her inability to bear children due to a past hysterectomy, complicating her hopes for a future.

Dinner turmoil

During a post-funeral dinner, tensions explode as Violet, under the influence of drugs, verbally assaults her family members. Barbara, overwhelmed by frustration, retaliates physically, leading to a confrontation that pushes Violet to confront her substance abuse.

Little Charles' song

In an emotionally charged moment, Little Charles attempts to share a song he wrote for Ivy but is interrupted by harsh criticism from Mattie Fae. This moment reveals deeper family issues as Charles stands up to his mother about her lack of affection towards him.

Family secrets revealed

The escalating tension leads to the shocking revelation that Little Charles is also Beverly's illegitimate son. This new information complicates Ivy's feelings towards him and adds layers of dysfunction within the family unit.

Jean's night of horror

During an intoxicated evening, Steve attempts to assault Jean, prompting Johnna to intervene in a courageous manner. She attacks Steve with a shovel, leading to chaos that awakens the rest of the family, revealing the fractures in their relationships.

Barbara slaps Jean

In the aftermath of the chaos, Barbara, overwhelmed with emotions, slaps Jean, leading to a panicked departure back to Colorado with Bill. This moment highlights the deep-rooted issues of anger and denial present in the family.

Ivy's heartbreak

Heartbroken, Ivy seeks solace in her mother, only to discover that Violet is already aware of her feelings for Little Charles. This revelation leads Ivy to vow never to return, symbolizing the breakdown of family ties.

Barbara's devastating realization

Barbara learns that Violet knew about Beverly's suffering yet failed to help him in time, leading to his tragic suicide. This revelation shatters Barbara's resolve, confronting her with the reality of her mother's failures.

Violet's solitude

Left with only Johnna for companionship, Violet turns to music in a moment of solitude. However, her grief overwhelms her, highlighting her loneliness and desperation for connection amidst her family's collapse.

Barbara's lonely drive

As the film concludes, Barbara drives alone through the plains, feeling the emotional weight of her family's dysfunction. Grappling with tears, she sets her sights westward toward an uncertain future, symbolizing her quest for a fresh start.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring August: Osage County (2013) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Beverly Weston

Beverly is a deeply troubled former poet, struggling with alcoholism and depression. His disappearance triggers the family's chaotic reunion, revealing the fractures within their relationships. He embodies the theme of loss, both through his absence and the weight of his legacy on his family's grief.

🍷 Alcoholism 📖 Poet 😔 Tragedy

Violet Weston

Violet is a fierce and complex matriarch grappling with oral cancer and substance abuse. Her sharp tongue and cruel demeanor often alienate her family, exposing her vulnerabilities. Despite her flaws, she longs for connection and understanding amidst her turmoil.

🤒 Illness 💔 Family ⚡ Conflict

Barbara Weston

Barbara, the eldest daughter, is characterized by her strength and resilience, often overshadowed by her mother's harsh influence. As she tries to hold her family together, her internal conflicts surface, particularly regarding her mother's legacy and her own role in the family dynamic.

👩‍👧 Motherhood 💪 Strength 🧐 Self-discovery

Ivy Weston

Ivy is the middle daughter who remains emotionally tied to her family's roots. Her romantic feelings for her cousin add a layer of complexity to her character, showcasing her yearning for connection amidst personal challenges. She is a poignant representation of hope and despair intertwined.

💔 Unrequited Love 🌹 Romance 🤫 Secrets

Johnna

Johnna is a young Cheyenne woman who becomes a caretaker for the Weston family. Her presence sparks critical shifts within the family dynamics, providing both care and confrontation when necessary. She stands as a symbol of resilience and strength amidst chaos.

👩‍🍳 Caregiver 🔄 Change 🔥 Courage

Setting

Uncover the settings of August: Osage County (2013), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

August

The events of the movie occur during a hot August, a time often associated with stagnation and introspection in rural settings. This period usually reflects the dogs days of summer, which parallel the film's themes of family dysfunction and personal grievances. The intense heat mirrors the rising tensions among family members as they confront their past.

Location

Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Tulsa

The film is set in a sweltering rural district near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant local culture. Just 60 miles northwest of Tulsa, this area represents the heartland of America, characterized by its close-knit communities and familial ties. The rural backdrop serves as a stark contrast to the unfolding family drama, enhancing the emotional stakes of the narrative.

🌾 Rural 📍 Location 🌅 Countryside

Themes

Explore the core themes of August: Osage County (2013). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💔

Family Dysfunction

The film delves into the complexities of familial relationships, revealing deep-seated issues fueled by addiction and past traumas. Each character's struggle reflects the breaking point of family ties as they confront uncomfortable truths. The themes of betrayal and loyalty intertwine, portraying how love and hate coexist within familial bonds.

🕊️

Loss and Grief

The narrative grapples with loss, both literal and emotional, as characters navigate the impending death of a loved one and the absence caused by suicide. Grief manifests in different forms, influencing each character uniquely and ultimately leading to various coping mechanisms. This theme underlines the fragility of life and the importance of connection in times of sorrow.

🔥

Conflict

The story is rife with conflict, stemming from interpersonal relationships and unspoken grievances. As characters clash, both physically and emotionally, the narrative showcases the brewing tensions that threaten to tear the family apart. This conflict serves as a catalyst for personal revelations, highlighting the destructive power of unresolved anger.

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