Julia Roberts appeared almost unrecognizable as Barbara Weston, wearing her long brunette hair in a simple, unstyled manner rather than her usual glamorous look. Dressed in jeans and layered tops, the actress adopted a deliberately dowdy appearance for the role of a woman struggling with family tensions after the disappearance of her alcoholic father.

During an emotional scene, Roberts walked hand-in-hand with Ewan McGregor’s character, Bill Fordham, toward a boat dock where a sheriff awaited them. The pair had to identify a dead body, creating a tense and heartbreaking moment. Upon seeing the body, Barbara broke down in tears and sought comfort in Bill’s arms as her grief overwhelmed her.

Despite the intensity of the scene, Roberts quickly returned to good spirits between takes, laughing with cast members and crew. She was joined by Julianne Nicholson, who appeared to be pointing out something amusing to the group. Nicholson also embraced the film’s understated style, wearing a blue shirt, brown flared trousers, and her hair tied back in a ponytail.

The 2013 film also starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken, Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, and Juliette Lewis as Karen Weston. According to IMDb, Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were considered for roles, although Riseborough later withdrew because of scheduling conflicts. Chloë Grace Moretz also auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham, which ultimately went to Abigail Breslin.