A New Look for Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts was nearly unrecognizable on the set of August: Osage County in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Dressed in loose jeans, layered tops, and with no makeup, she transformed into Barbara Weston, a woman coping with family turmoil after her father’s disappearance. “Not her usual look,” Roberts fully embraced the role with her hair left unstyled and her appearance toned down.
Emotional Scene with Ewan McGregor
Roberts and co-star Ewan McGregor filmed a powerful scene at a boat dock, where their characters were asked to identify a dead body. “Hysterical performance,” the actress delivered a tearful act, clinging to McGregor’s character Bill Fordham in an emotional breakdown. The raw intensity of the scene stood in stark contrast to the moments in between takes, where Roberts could be seen laughing with the cast.
Behind-the-Scenes Laughter
Despite the heavy content of the film, the mood on set lightened when the cameras weren’t rolling. Actress Julianne Nicholson, also in costume, “appeared to be pointing out something rather funny to the group,” which sent Roberts into fits of laughter. It was a brief but welcome break from the emotional demands of the scene.
A Star-Studded Cast
The film features a strong ensemble cast including Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken, and Juliette Lewis as Karen Weston, who replaced Andrea Riseborough after scheduling conflicts. Abigail Breslin won the role of Jean Fordham over Chloë Moretz. The film showcases the tension and dark humor within a fractured family, brought to life by a cast willing to shed glamour for authenticity.