Australian actress Nicole Kidman is known for her versatility. She has a number of unforgettable roles to her name. Here are the ten best films from her oeuvre, confirming her status as one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.
10. Rabbit Hole (2010)
“Rabbit Hole” offers Kidman a role that led to her third Academy Award nomination. She plays Becca Corbett, who has to process the accidental death of her four-year-old son. Kidman and her film partner, Aaron Eckhart, visit a support group in their quest for relief from their grief, while Kidman’s character also develops a complex relationship with the young driver responsible for their son’s death.
9. Boy Erased (2018)
In “Boy Erased,” Kidman plays the mother of a gay son who is sent to a conversion camp. Her role as the wife of a Baptist preacher and her evolution into a protective mother fighting for her son showcases the depth of Kidman’s ability to portray complex characters with nuance and strength.
8. Being the Ricardos (2021)
With “Being the Ricardos,” Kidman takes on the challenging role of Lucille Ball, not only as the iconic TV star but also as her character Lucy Ricardo from “I Love Lucy.” Kidman dives deep into the complexity of Ball’s character, bringing to life both her distinctive voice and her physical comedy style.
7. Cold Mountain (2003)
“Cold Mountain,” based on Charles Frazier’s bestseller, portrays the love relationship between Kidman’s character, Ada Monroe, and Jude Law’s character, W.P. Inman. Kidman’s acting in this film, in which her character must survive during the Civil War while waiting for the return of her beloved, is powerful and moving.
6. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
“Eyes Wide Shut,” directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a sexually charged drama in which Kidman shines alongside her then-husband Tom Cruise. Known for its erotic content and complex storyline, the film offers an in-depth look at the dynamics within a marriage and sexual obsessions.
5. Bombshell (2019)
“Bombshell” focuses on the scandal surrounding Roger Ailes of Fox News and the allegations of sexual harassment. Kidman plays Gretchen Carlson, one of the first women to sue Ailes, playing a crucial role in exposing the abuse of power within the company. Kidman’s portrayal of Carlson is powerful and showcases the complexity of her struggle and courage.
4. To Die For (1995)
In “To Die For,” Kidman plays Suzanne Stone, an ambitious weatherwoman on a local TV station in New Hampshire, who will do anything to become famous, even if it means committing a murder. This dark comedy, directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Buck Henry, offers Kidman one of her most memorable and darkly humorous roles. Her portrayal of the ruthlessly ambitious Suzanne Stone brought her much acclaim and recognition in Hollywood.
3. The Others (2001)
“The Others” is a haunting thriller in which Kidman plays Grace Stewart, a mother protecting her two light-sensitive children in a dark, old house that may be haunted. This film, written and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, is known for its oppressive atmosphere and surprising plot twists. Kidman’s portrayal as a protective and simultaneously distrustful mother greatly contributes to the film’s tension and mystery.
2. The Hours (2002)
In “The Hours,” Kidman portrays Virginia Woolf, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film tells the story of three women from different generations whose lives are connected in some way to Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway.” Kidman’s transformation into the troubled writer, complete with a prosthetic nose, was widely praised for her depth and sensitivity in depicting Woolf’s struggle with depression and creativity.
1. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
“Moulin Rouge!” is an energetic and visually stunning musical by director Baz Luhrmann in which Kidman shines as Satine, the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge, who falls in love with a young writer, played by Ewan McGregor. The film is an extravaganza of music, dance, and color, and Kidman’s performance is both heartbreaking and mesmerizing. For this role, she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, confirming her status as one of the leading actresses in the film industry.
source: filmfun
