Based on the Pulitzer and Tony-winning play by Tracy Letts (who did the adapted screenplay) and directed by John Wells, comes this dark comedy of the Weston family.

Shortly after interviewing a native American for a job as a live-in cook and caregiver for his wife (portrayed by Meryl Streep), notable poet and alcoholic Beverly Weston (Sam Shepard) mysteriously disappears. His family (including his daughters, their boyfriends, a teenage grandkid, his sister in law, and her husband) comes to assist his wife in search of their patriarch. Family quarrels and verbal abuse are the order of the day. It is soon revealed that Mr Weston committed suicide. After meeting his wife and family you’ll understand why he took his own life.

His wife, Violet has oral cancer, verbal diarrhea and is addicted to narcotics. You would think that a woman in her condition would choose her words wisely but she is constant with her emotional abuse. Violet’s eldest daughter, Barbara (Julia Roberts), is her constant victim. Barbara was, as Violet stated, Beverly’s favourite daughter.

The Weston family have serious issues. Like many families they bicker, fight, give each other the stink eye, and insult each other around the dinner table.  However, they are constantly at each other’s throats. There are times when they reminisce about the good old days. But mostly, they are always fighting.

This movie will remind you of the common “coming home for the holidays”, or the “I’m here for a family funeral” movie. The element these movies have in common is the “I’m hiding a secret” factor. As we all know, in movies secrets are always revealed and these secrets are so severe that it may tear the already broken Weston family further apart.

Roberts is in her element, as the movie brings out a powerful performance from her and Streep.

Cast: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard, Julianne Nicholson