In accordance with an apparent bylaw at the Toronto International Film Festival that states each day's schedule must include one major Oscar contender, The Weinstein Company debuted "August: Osage County" on Monday night.


"I don't think I'd call 'August: Osage County' a bad film, but I'm damn sure I wouldn't call it a great one," HitFix critic Drew McWeeny wrote in his B-minus review.


His mixed review was echoed elsewhere, by critics for The Hollywood Reporter, Chicago Tribune and Indiewire. "There is a powerful cinematic experience somewhere in 'August: Osage County' waiting to get out in the sprawling two-hour plus runtime, but in seemingly staying too faithful to Tracy Letts' work, the end product winds up playing almost like a supercut of Important Acting In Big Scenes, instead of a cohesive work of dramatic weight and thematic thoughtfulness," wrote Kevin Jagernauth for Indiewire's blog The Playlist.


Letts actually adapted his own Pulitzer Prize-winning play for the screen version of "August: Osage County," which focuses on an estranged Oklahoma family coming together for a funeral. John Wells directed the material, and he loaded the cast with a murderer's row of past Oscar winners, nominees and beloved character actors and actresses, including Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Margo Martindale, Juliette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Sam Shepard, Amy Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, Ewan McGregor and Meryl Streep in the lead role as the family's vicious queen.


"The best of the best is Meryl Streep, as the foul-mouthed, acid-tongued [matriarch]," wrote Stephen Whitty for the Newark Star-Ledger. "And being Streep, she makes the part even harder on herself by doing much of it behind big dark glasses, hiding an actress' greatest tool -- her eyes. It's like Serena Williams playing a match with one hand tied behind her back, just for fun -- and still acing it."


Whitty's comments were echoed by Hollywood Elsewhere editor Jeff Wells, who called Streep a "all-but-guaranteed Best Actress nominee," but not everyone was as impressed.


"She hits all her marks with brilliant technique but brings no element of surprise," THR critic David Rooney wrote. "As good as Streep is, the chewy part actually might have benefited from a left-field casting choice."


Set for release on Christmas day, "August: Osage County" is the biggest year-end release to premiere thus far ("American Hustle," "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Saving Mr. Banks" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," for instance, still remain unseen). The early debut put the Weinstein Company release in the awards conversation alongside "12 Years A Slave," a Toronto premiere that garnered heavy Oscar attention last weekend. More reactions from critics and awards bloggers in attendance on Monday night can be found below.



































































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  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Chris Cooper


    Chris Cooper arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney signs autographs for fans at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julianne Nicholson


    Julianne Nicholson arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • John Wells


    Director John Wells poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney waves as he signs autographs for fans on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson wears a ring as she poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson, right, and director Jonathan Glazer pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson; Mila Kunis; Adrien Brody; Olivia Wilde; Moran Atias; Maria Bello, Loan Chabanol


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, centre, pose for a photograph with director Paul Haggis, right, on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadain Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson


    Writer and director Paul Haggis, right, and actor Liam Neeson, left, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Liam Neeson Adrien Brody


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, right, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)