Julia Roberts has been known for a long time for her beautiful smile, stylish demeanor, and parts that people will never forget, like her star-making role in Pretty Woman and her Academy Award-winning role in Erin Brockovich. But while she was on the set of August: Osage County, the actress got rid of all the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. Roberts looked stripped down, raw, and almost unrecognizable during filming in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She played Barbara Weston, a daughter dealing with sorrow and family problems.
The 44-year-old actress was seen on set with co-star Ewan McGregor, wearing layers of casual, dowdy clothes that said a lot about the disturbed, average character she was playing. Roberts wasn’t the polished red-carpet star fans remember. She wore a white shirt over a cream-colored top and loose-fitting blue trousers. Her long brown hair was left natural and unstyled, and her face didn’t have any of the cosmetics that usually make her look attractive on film. The change was striking, and it reminded us of Roberts’ devotion to being real over being vain when the role calls for it.
The scenario they were filming was really emotional. Roberts and McGregor, who played her estranged husband Bill Fordham, strolled hand in hand to a pier with the help of a sheriff. Barbara had to face the horrible duty of identifying a dead body—her absent father, the Weston family’s alcoholic patriarch—after the tense moment ended. When the sheet was pulled back, Roberts fell to the floor in tears, putting on a performance that was both genuine and funny as she leaned into McGregor’s arms and the camera caught her anguish.
People who saw Roberts as the gorgeous Hollywood star and Roberts as the bereaved Barbara Weston were shocked by the difference. One reason she is still one of the most acclaimed actors of her generation is that she can entirely lose herself in a role.
But even though the scenario was heavy, the vibe between takes was much lighter. At one point, Roberts was spotted laughing a lot with Julianne Nicholson, who seemed to be pointing out something funny. It was a big difference: one moment she was crying for the camera, and the next she was laughing with her castmates. That ability to switch between emotional extremes so easily seemed to show how professional and at ease Roberts was on set.
Nicholson, who is best known for her role in Boardwalk Empire, also liked the modest, unglamorous costumes for the movie. She wore a blue blouse and brown flared pants with her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. It looked like the whole cast leaned into the story’s need for reality.
Some of Hollywood’s best actors were in August: Osage County. Benedict Cumberbatch played Little Charles Aiken, while Meryl Streep, the famed actress, played Violet Weston, the family’s bossy matriarch. The movie, which is based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, was already getting a lot of attention before it came out because of its star-studded ensemble.
There have been some changes in the casting for the project behind the scenes. At one point, Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were both thought to be good choices for important roles. Riseborough was first cast, but she had to back out because of schedule issues. Juliette Lewis then took over as Karen Weston. At the same time, Chloë Grace Moretz tried out for the part of Jean Fordham but lost to Abigail Breslin, who ended up getting the job. The final cast had both experienced actors and younger ones, which promised a lot of excitement on screen.
Roberts’ choice to take away all of Barbara Weston’s allure said a lot about how dedicated she was to her work. While filming, she was managing her busy job with being a mother of three. She and her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder, were raising their kids together. But when she was on set, she put all of her energy into playing a lady who was stuck in a dysfunctional family that was falling apart because of tragedy.
The difference between her “everywoman” look in the movie and the Julia Roberts look that people were used to seeing made the drama feel more real. Roberts’ Barbara wasn’t supposed to be gorgeous; she was supposed to be real. She was a woman who was sad, angry, and strong as she dealt with the aftermath of her father’s murder and disappearance. Books by Tracy Letts, Roberts’ collection of movies
Fans may have been surprised to see Roberts in jeans and layered tops that didn’t look appealing on her and hair that looked limp and normal. But for Roberts, it was another chance to show how flexible she is. Not only her looks or charisma have characterized her career, but also the depth she delivers to characters who need emotional honesty. In August: Osage County, she totally embraced that, reminding people why she has been one of Hollywood’s most bankable and admired actors for decades.
Roberts cried throughout filming because of how intense her acting was, but she quickly went back to being pleasant and friendly between takes. That mix of professionalism and lightheartedness helped establish the tone for a cast that had to tell one of the most emotionally difficult stories ever made into a movie.
It was evident that August: Osage County would be more than just another line in Roberts’ already impressive list of movies by the time the cameras stopped rolling. It was an opportunity for her to demonstrate to audiences—and maybe even herself—that she could still surprise us after working in the business for decades.
Julia Roberts took away the glamor and showed the world that real beauty comes from being real, and real artistry comes from taking on jobs that push comfort and expectations.