TIFF 2013—JULIA ROBERTS SAYS “AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY” MOVIE WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF HER LIFE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a rare red carpet appearance, Julia Roberts hit the Toronto International Film Festival premiere for her movie, August: Osage County, which changed her life.

It’s another movie that’s garnering Oscar buzz. And with a cast that includes Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, it’s no surprise that this dramatic film is gaining critical acclaim.

Based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, August: Osage County follows the story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.

“I saw the play and loved it,” Roberts said during a TIFF press conference. “My life will never bee the same again. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. It was like a mountain to climb every single day.The only way to climb it was to be holding hands with each other. We’d work all day, shower and then all run over to Meryl’s house to practice for the next day. You had to spend 20 hours a day practicing or you would lose momentum. It was the best acting experience of my life.”

Although Meryl Streep pulled out of all festival press due to illness, Roberts said that it was an honour being in a film with the esteemed actress.

“Our experience was a treasure box of discovery for me,” Roberts said. “Meryl showed it is about working hard. You know, she’s doesn’t just snap her fingers and be a genius, she works really  hard. I’ve never seen anyone work harder than her and I was grateful to see that up close.”

August: Osage County opens December 25 and stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Abigail Breslin, Sam Shepard, and Chris Cooper.

 

Watch the trailer for August: Osage County.

 

—By Toni-Marie Ippolito