August: Osage County (2013)

You think your family’s dramatic? Spare a thought for Barbara (Julia Roberts) in this ensemble cast dramedy as she cares for her strong-willed mother (Meryl Streep) who’s got cancer and a painkiller addiction. Barb must deal with her mom’s meddling in her marriage (to Ewan McGregor), her sister’s wild love-life, her unstable cousin Little Charles (Benedict Cumberbatch) and a whole lot more.

It’s based on Tracy Lett’s 2007 play of the same name and is produced by Julia’s pal George Clooney (they did the Oceans heist movies). The cast is stellar, with Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney and more, and they show off their talents with the screenplay.

Both Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep were nominated for Oscars for their performances.

While its heart is drama, watching the family tear itself apart and rebuild is where the magic happens, says Susan Wloszczyna from rogerebert.com: “Accusations are shouted, plates are smashed, doors are slammed and casseroles abused. At the very least, you will hold your own family in higher regard. Streep might have less to lose and more to gain by going over the top. But it’s Roberts, humbly stripped of all movie-star artifice, who comes away the clear winner.”