Nicole Kidman is a great actor; I never understand why there is any argument. For more than three decades, Kidman has shown that she is a versatile, volatile, and vulnerable performer with a rather astonishing range. Among the trophy collection on her mantle are an Academy Award (four nominations), a BAFTA (five nominations), a pair of Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards (17 nominations), plus 15 SAG nominations. Her Moulin Rouge! (2001) duet with Ewan McGregor, Come What May, and Something Stupid sung with Robbie Williams, a cover version of Frank and Nancy Sinatra‘s 1967 hit, both charted on the pop charts. She’s appeared onstage on Broadway and the West End, and in the nude no less.
Kidman says that was inspired to become an actor after seeing Margaret Hamilton’s performance in The Wizard Of Oz (1939). Kidman:
“Once I start putting all my little insecurities in my mind, I’m not actually acting. Then it’s about me – and it should never be about me. It should be about the character. I try to stay completely in the role as the actor and as the character.”
She can do comedy, drama, action, adventure, superhero, fantasy, and musicals; she is unafraid to work with experimental filmmakers or do television, and it is probably okay with her if we just ignore The Stepford Wives (2004), Bewitched (2005), and Grace Of Monaco (2014), among her other dubious employment choices. What can I say, the woman likes to work! I lost count at 97 projects!
My choices vary between my personal preferences and some critical blind spots in my viewing enjoyment, plus I admit that I have not seen all of Kidman’s projects, but here are 10 performances that I love:
