Nicole Kidman (Part 2)

In 2004, Nicole Kidman starred in the drama film "Birth," a role that generated controversy due to a scene where she shares a bath with her co-star Cameron Bright, who was ten years old at the time. Kidman addressed the controversy during a press conference at the 61st Venice International Film Festival, explaining that her intention was not to create a film with inappropriate content but rather to explore themes of love and understanding. Despite the controversy, her performance earned her a seventh Golden Globe nomination.


The same year, Kidman appeared in the black comedy science-fiction film "The Stepford Wives," alongside Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, and Glenn Close. Directed by Frank Oz, it was a remake of the 1975 film of the same name. Additionally, she starred opposite Sean Penn in the Sydney Pollack thriller "The Interpreter," portraying UN translator Silvia Broome. Kidman also appeared alongside Will Ferrell in the romantic comedy "Bewitched," based on the 1960s TV sitcom of the same name. While these films did not perform well in the United States, they achieved success internationally.


During this period, Kidman also became the face of the Chanel No. 5 perfume brand, starring in a series of high-profile advertising campaigns directed by Baz Luhrmann. She appeared in television and print ads alongside Rodrigo Santoro, earning a record-breaking sum of US$12 million for a three-minute commercial, making her the highest-paid actor per minute. Kidman's endorsement deals and film earnings contributed to her being ranked as one of the most powerful celebrities by Forbes and one of the highest-paid actresses by People magazine.


In 2006, Kidman portrayed photographer Diane Arbus in the biographical film "Fur" and lent her voice to the animated film "Happy Feet," which became her highest-grossing film at the time. She continued her diverse filmography with roles in "The Invasion" and "Margot at the Wedding" in 2007, followed by the fantasy-adventure film "The Golden Compass," where she played the main antagonist Marisa Coulter.


The following year, Kidman reunited with director Baz Luhrmann for the Australian period film "Australia," co-starring Hugh Jackman. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a box office success. In 2009, Kidman appeared in the musical "Nine," alongside an ensemble cast that included Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, and Penélope Cruz. Though her screen time was brief, she earned praise for her performance and received nominations for several prestigious awards.


In the early 2010s, Nicole Kidman began with a notable performance in the film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Rabbit Hole," where she portrayed a grieving mother alongside Aaron Eckhart. Her performance earned critical acclaim, garnering nominations for several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress.


The following year, Kidman appeared in the romantic comedy "Just Go with It," alongside Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, and starred in the action-thriller "Trespass," opposite Nicolas Cage. In 2012, she portrayed journalist Martha Gellhorn in the HBO film "Hemingway & Gellhorn," earning her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Additionally, she played the role of Charlotte Bless in Lee Daniels' adaptation of the Pete Dexter novel "The Paperboy," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.


During this period, Kidman's versatility as an actress was on display with diverse roles in various genres. She starred in Park Chan-wook's psychological thriller "Stoker" as an unstable mother, receiving positive reviews and a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her audiobook recording of Virginia Woolf's "To the Lighthouse" was also released in 2012.


In 2014, Kidman portrayed Grace Kelly in the biographical film "Grace of Monaco," which opened at the Cannes Film Festival but received largely negative reviews. She also starred alongside Colin Firth in two films, the historical drama "The Railway Man" and the thriller "Before I Go To Sleep."


Continuing her prolific career, Kidman appeared in several films in 2015, including the drama "Strangerland" and the biographical drama "Queen of the Desert," where she portrayed Gertrude Bell. She also starred in the thriller "Secret in Their Eyes" and returned to the West End in the UK premiere of "Photograph 51," portraying British scientist Rosalind Franklin. Her performance in the stage production received widespread acclaim, earning her an Evening Standard Theatre Award and a Laurence Olivier Award nomination.
Throughout the early 2010s, Kidman showcased her versatility and talent across a range of film and stage projects, solidifying her reputation as one of the most respected and acclaimed actresses in the industry.


In 2016, Nicole Kidman delivered a powerful performance as Sue Brierley in the film "Lion," portraying the adoptive mother of Saroo Brierley, a role she felt deeply connected to as a mother of adopted children herself. Her portrayal earned widespread acclaim, including her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and her eleventh Golden Globe Award nomination. Critics praised Kidman's performance, with Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times noting her powerful and moving portrayal of a mother who supports her son's quest to find his birth family.


"Lion," with a budget of US$12 million, became a global success, grossing over US$140 million worldwide. Additionally, Kidman lent her voice to the English version of the animated film "The Guardian Brothers."


In 2017, Kidman made a triumphant return to television with "Big Little Lies," a drama series based on Liane Moriarty's novel of the same name. In the series, she played Celeste Wright, a former lawyer concealing an abusive relationship with her husband, portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård. Kidman's performance was lauded as career-defining, earning her numerous accolades including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. She also received recognition as a producer, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series. Kidman's work in "Big Little Lies" further solidified her status as one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, earning her additional awards such as the Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics' Choice Television Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

References

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