Streep, Roberts look set for August: Osage County film — Page 4

Oh what a shame. I was hoping for Jessica Lange, who would knock this out of the park.

Ugh, Lange would chew so much scenery, there'd hardly be any movie theatres left in America after she's through with them. Streep's hardly the best choice, but to say that Lange's histrionics would be better is hardly accurate either. I wish they had gone with one of the more interesting, somewhat underrated older actresses like Sissy Spaceck, Diane Keaton, Ellen Burstyn, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, etc; unfortunately, they don't sell movie tickets the way Streep does and these are the Weinsteins after all.

Portman is way too young for Ivy, the character is in her early 40s, Portman just turned 30. Marisa Tomei would do wonders with a role like this, though she's more of a natural for Karen.

---

Giving that it's basically a sitcom-

I think I'd say soap opera meself- I mean- the "He's your brother" is something outta "As the Stomach Turns" from the Burnett show.

Agree Portman is way too young for Ivy.

Tomei is a wonderful idea but she'd have to tone down her looks, which she can certainly do. Carrie Preston seems the perfect Karen to me.

And please, please, please, Kathleen Turner or Kate Nelligan or Angelica Huston as Mattie Fay! I had always hoped that Laurie Metcalf would have played Barbara.

Spacek would have been incredible as Violet. Jessica Lange would have been great and it might have also offered the interesting stunt casting of Sam Shepard as Beverly. Not only Jessica's partner (well, no longer....) but, like Beverly, a man of letters. And he would have been superb in the role. He'd still be a wonderful choice for the role.

But to me I always longed for a much older Violet, a great last movie role for Lansbury, Woodward or Laurie, each of whom seems ideal. Lansbury especially would have been fierce, amazing and it would have been career-crowning. I know Letts stage directions say Violet's in her mid 60s. But one thing I never understood is this: the older generation in August is supposed to represent, ironically, setting up that very funny scene for Karen, Barbara, and Ivy in the last act - "the greatest generation" If they are, that would mean they were young men and women during World War II.

But if the "matriarch" is only 65, she would have been born shortly after the war, not part of the war effort. With three daughters well into middle age, there is no reason Violet can't be far older, thereby bridging American history in the way this great and hilarious passage from the play (if not a trump-able stage direction) suggests.

Updated On: 2/17/12 at 08:44 AM

Please, please, Mary Louise Parker as Ivy.

---

There are days when you think, 'I'm all alone in the world. I'm the only one who feels this way. I can never tell anyone how I really feel.' And then, someone comes along and states clearly, 'No...I'm just like you. It gets better.'

Thank you, Namo. I thought I was the only one who felt this play was a bit absurd. Entertaining as hell. But absurd.

Margo Martindale for Mattie Fae please!

---

Oh, AC. That comment was so beyond the pale that I thought no one would even bother responding. But I'm glad you did. It's one of the crazier things I've ever seen written here. And that's saying something. Though you didn't mention that she was an Oscar nominee for Pieces of April. But you're forgiven.

I loved in Easy A. I know it was a fluff role but her chemistry with Stanley Tucci was just to good not to mention.

---

Mary Louise Parker is as good as you can get for Ivy. Given that WEEDS will have finished shooting its final season by the end of the summer, I really hope we see her involved in this come the fall.

I have a feeling they may end up casting Karen a little younger than she's written in the play in order to emphasize the age difference between the sisters. If that's the case, Amy Adams would be pretty terrific in the role, though the suggestion I read elsewhere of Marisa Tomei is also one I really, really like.

Kathy Bates would be anyone's first choice for Mattie Fae, but if her television series prevents her from being able to participate, I agree that Margo Martindale would be an equally exciting possibility.

---

Updated On: 2/18/12 at 11:48 AM