Hollywood has always been a place where actors push themselves beyond comfort zones, stepping into roles that demand vulnerability, raw emotion, and sometimes a complete departure from their public image. Few performances capture this more vividly than Julia Roberts’ portrayal of Barbara Weston in the 2013 film August: Osage County.
Adapted from Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the film brought together an extraordinary ensemble cast. Alongside Roberts, the lineup included legends like Meryl Streep, as well as acclaimed talents such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson, and Chris Cooper. Together, they crafted a gripping story of family dysfunction, buried secrets, and emotional confrontation.
But for Julia Roberts, widely known at the time as America’s sweetheart, the project represented much more than another role. It was a chance to strip away the glamour, challenge the audience’s perception of her, and embrace the raw exhaustion of a daughter caught between loyalty and resentment.
This article takes a deep dive into the making of August: Osage County, exploring how casting decisions shaped the film, how Roberts’ transformation became one of its defining elements, and why the movie still resonates today.
The Origins: From Stage to Screen
Tracy Letts’ play August: Osage County debuted in 2007 at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago before moving to Broadway, where it became a sensation. The story centers on the Weston family, a clan brought back together after the disappearance of their patriarch. What follows is a series of explosive confrontations, exposing decades of resentment, addiction, and unresolved wounds.
The play earned widespread acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and multiple Tony Awards. Adapting it into a film seemed like a natural progression, but there was one major challenge: how to capture the intensity of a stage performance while appealing to a broader movie-going audience.
Producer Harvey Weinstein and director John Wells were determined to preserve the raw honesty of Letts’ script while infusing it with cinematic intimacy. That required assembling a cast strong enough to hold their own against one another, as the film’s story depends less on action and more on emotional sparring.
A Casting Process Filled with Twists
The casting of August: Osage County is a fascinating story in itself.
- Benedict Cumberbatch was brought in to play Little Charles Aiken, a shy and often overlooked member of the family. Known primarily at the time for his role in the BBC’s Sherlock, Cumberbatch brought quiet vulnerability to the character, contrasting the intensity of the film’s louder personalities.
- Meryl Streep was cast as Violet Weston, the sharp-tongued and drug-addicted matriarch. Streep’s reputation as one of the greatest living actresses meant she had the range to play a character both deeply flawed and oddly sympathetic.
- Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were at one point considered for major roles. Riseborough was even officially attached before scheduling conflicts forced her to step away.
- Juliette Lewis replaced Riseborough as Karen Weston, the self-absorbed youngest daughter. Lewis brought a frenetic energy to the role, making Karen both irritating and oddly relatable.
- Chloë Moretz auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham, the rebellious granddaughter. Ultimately, the role went to Abigail Breslin, whose performance added authenticity to the portrayal of teenage angst in a fractured household.
Behind these casting shifts lies an important truth about filmmaking: the actors who finally appear on screen are often not the first choices. Scheduling conflicts, creative differences, and other practical hurdles frequently reshape a project. In this case, those changes helped define the final version of the film, with Lewis and Breslin bringing fresh interpretations that fit seamlessly into the ensemble.
Julia Roberts’ Commitment to the Role
For Julia Roberts, stepping into the role of Barbara Weston required a level of transformation that surprised even her longtime fans. Gone were the glamorous outfits, the radiant smile, and the effortless charm that had defined much of her career. In their place was a weary, disillusioned woman grappling with a failing marriage, a rebellious daughter, and an impossible relationship with her domineering mother.
Roberts chose to go makeup-free for much of the film, wearing understated clothing that reflected Barbara’s emotional exhaustion. Her decision was not just cosmetic—it was symbolic. By abandoning the Hollywood polish, she embodied the stripped-down reality of a woman forced to confront truths she had long avoided.
In interviews, Roberts spoke about the emotional toll of the role. Acting opposite Meryl Streep in scenes filled with shouting, tears, and physical confrontations was both terrifying and exhilarating. The film’s most famous dinner-table scene, in which Violet and Barbara unleash years of pent-up anger, has been described by critics as one of the most powerful cinematic family showdowns in decades.
Life on Set: Balancing Darkness with Levity
Despite the heavy subject matter, the set of August: Osage County wasn’t entirely somber. Reports from the crew suggested that the actors often found ways to lighten the mood between takes.
Julianne Nicholson, who played Ivy Weston, recalled moments of shared laughter and camaraderie among the cast. This balance was crucial, as spending weeks immersed in such emotionally draining material could have taken a toll on morale.
The film was shot primarily in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, a location chosen to reflect the Midwestern roots of Letts’ story. The expansive landscapes contrasted beautifully with the claustrophobic interior scenes, emphasizing the tension between the characters’ desire for escape and their inability to break free from family ties.
Reception: Praise, Criticism, and Awards
When August: Osage County premiered in 2013, it received a mix of acclaim and criticism.
- Praise: Many critics highlighted the performances of Streep and Roberts as the film’s greatest strengths. Their dynamic—equal parts combustible and heartbreaking—anchored the story. The ensemble cast was also lauded for their ability to create a believable, if deeply troubled, family.
- Criticism: Some reviewers felt that the transition from stage to screen didn’t fully capture the immediacy of the play. The film’s pacing and structure, they argued, sometimes felt constrained.
- Awards: Despite mixed reviews, the film earned multiple accolades. Meryl Streep was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, while Julia Roberts received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Their recognition underscored how powerful their performances were, regardless of the film’s divisive reception.
Why Julia Roberts’ Performance Still Matters
More than a decade later, Julia Roberts’ work in August: Osage County stands out as one of her most courageous performances. It was not about charm or glamour but about embracing flaws and vulnerabilities. For an actress who had built a career on likable, often romantic characters, this was a bold departure.
The role also demonstrated Roberts’ ability to evolve with time. Instead of clinging to the archetype that had made her famous, she leaned into more complex, layered characters. In doing so, she set an example for other actors facing the challenge of reinventing themselves as they grow older in Hollywood.
Legacy of the Film
While August: Osage County may not rank among the most commercially successful films of its era, it holds an important place in cinematic history. It stands as proof that ensemble dramas can still captivate audiences when the performances are strong enough.
For Julia Roberts, the experience was transformative. She stepped into the shadows of glamour, embraced emotional chaos, and emerged with one of the most memorable performances of her career.
Final Thoughts
The story of August: Osage County—both on screen and behind the scenes—is one of resilience, transformation, and artistry. From the casting changes that reshaped its ensemble to Julia Roberts’ fearless portrayal of Barbara Weston, the film remains a fascinating case study in adaptation.
It is not just a family drama; it is a mirror held up to the complexities of real life, where love and resentment often coexist, and where truth, however painful, can no longer be buried.
And for Julia Roberts, it was a role that reminded audiences—and perhaps even herself—that she is not just America’s sweetheart, but also one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.
