Julia Roberts, long regarded as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and glamorous stars, surprised audiences and critics alike with a dramatic transformation for her role in August: Osage County. Best known around the world for her breakthrough performance in Pretty Woman (1990), Roberts stepped far away from her signature glamorous image to portray a deeply vulnerable and emotionally complicated woman in the film adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
A Remarkable Transformation on Set
While filming in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Roberts looked almost unrecognizable compared with her usual movie-star appearance. For her role as Barbara Weston—a woman struggling to hold together a troubled family after her alcoholic father mysteriously disappears—she traded glamorous outfits for casual blue jeans, a simple cream-colored top, a white button-down shirt, and very little makeup. Her hair was kept natural and largely unstyled, reflecting the emotional exhaustion and turmoil of her character.
The intentional change placed authenticity ahead of Hollywood glamour, allowing Barbara’s emotional struggles and the story’s tension to remain the focus.
Intense Scenes and Lighter Moments Between Takes
One of the film’s most emotionally powerful scenes featured Roberts alongside Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Barbara’s estranged husband, Bill Fordham. After being taken by a local sheriff to identify a body at a boat dock, Barbara becomes overwhelmed by grief and breaks down in Bill’s arms. The heartbreaking scene reflects the film’s central themes of family conflict, hidden pain, buried secrets, and fragile relationships.
Despite the intensity of the material, Roberts was able to remain relaxed when the cameras stopped rolling. Between takes, she was spotted laughing and enjoying lighter moments with fellow cast members, including Julianne Nicholson. The contrast highlighted her ability to move seamlessly between emotionally demanding performances and genuine warmth behind the scenes.
A Simple, Realistic Style
Roberts’ understated wardrobe was an important part of removing the glamorous image audiences had long associated with her. The plain, layered clothing kept attention on Barbara’s emotional struggles rather than her appearance.
Julianne Nicholson also adopted a natural, low-key appearance for her role, wearing a casual blue shirt with flared trousers. Together, the cast created a believable portrait of a family pushed to the edge by grief, resentment, and years of unresolved conflict.
An Exceptional Ensemble Cast
August: Osage County brought together an impressive group of performers:
Meryl Streep portrayed Violet Weston, the fierce and unpredictable family matriarch whose confrontations with Barbara created some of the film’s most intense moments.
Ewan McGregor played Bill Fordham, Barbara’s estranged husband attempting to navigate the family’s growing crisis.
Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Little Charles Aiken, adding another layer to the complicated family relationships.
Juliette Lewis took on the role of Karen Weston after scheduling issues led Andrea Riseborough to leave the project.
Abigail Breslin played Jean Fordham, Barbara’s teenage daughter, winning the role after competing with other young actresses, including Chloë Grace Moretz.
Critical Praise and Awards Recognition
Released in 2013, the film earned considerable critical attention, particularly for the strength of its leading performances. Julia Roberts received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress.
Reviewers applauded Roberts for abandoning the familiar image audiences associated with her and embracing a complicated, emotionally raw character. Her performance demonstrated once again that she could move far beyond romantic comedies and deliver powerful dramatic work.
Drawing From Real-Life Experience
Away from the screen, Roberts is a mother of three children with her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder. Some observers felt that her own experience as a parent brought an additional layer of authenticity to Barbara’s difficult relationship with her teenage daughter, Jean.
By drawing on genuine emotional experiences and fully embracing the character’s imperfections, Roberts created a performance that felt grounded and deeply human.
Ultimately, Julia Roberts’ decision to strip away the glamour audiences expected from her in August: Osage County became one of the memorable artistic choices of her career. The role demonstrated her willingness to take creative risks and served as a powerful reminder of the remarkable range she possesses as a dramatic actress.
