While filming alongside Ewan McGregor, 44-year-old Julia Roberts looked nearly unrecognizable—far from the glamorous star audiences remember from her iconic role as Vivian Ward in the 1990 classic Pretty Woman.

Roberts underwent a dramatic transformation for her role in August: Osage County, which was being filmed in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Dressed in a plain, somewhat frumpy outfit and completely bare-faced, she took on a powerful, emotional role that showed a very different side of the Hollywood A-lister.

On Set: Julia and her co-star Ewan McGregor were deep into production on a Thursday afternoon, filming scenes for the drama August: Osage County.

In one of the film’s more intense moments, Julia delivered a tearful, gut-wrenching performance that reminded everyone of her acting range. Off-screen, Julia is a devoted mom to three children with her husband, cinematographer Daniel Moder. But for this role, she embraced simplicity—wearing a basic white shirt layered over a cream top and loose-fitting blue jeans.

Her long brunette hair was left unstyled, fitting the role of Barbara Weston, a woman grappling with deep family dysfunction and heartache after the family’s alcoholic father suddenly goes missing.

In one especially emotional scene, Ewan’s character gently holds Julia’s hand as they walk together to a boat dock, preparing to identify a dead body. The Sheriff stands nearby, overseeing the grim task.

A Dramatic Change: Gone was Julia’s signature Hollywood glamour. As she faced the reality of identifying a body, her character broke down completely. She burst into tears and collapsed into Ewan’s arms, playing out the emotional weight of the moment with raw authenticity.

Yet in between takes, Julia was spotted laughing and joking with the cast, showcasing her ability to shift effortlessly from deeply emotional scenes to light-hearted camaraderie.

She shared a particularly joyful moment with Julianne Nicholson, who pointed something out that got the whole group smiling, offering a break from the heavy storyline.

Stripped-Down Style: Julia’s wardrobe as Barbara Weston—basic jeans and layered tops—reflected her character’s down-to-earth, no-frills personality.

Julianne Nicholson, known for her role in Boardwalk Empire, also embraced a toned-down look, wearing a casual blue button-up shirt with brown flared pants and pulling her hair into a low ponytail to complete her character’s simple style.

The 2013 film features a powerhouse cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch as ‘Little Charles Aiken’ and Meryl Streep in the commanding role of Violet Weston.

Fun fact: Chloë Grace Moretz originally auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham but lost out to Abigail Breslin, who ultimately landed the part—just another reminder of how competitive Hollywood casting can be.