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World of Nicole Kidman

 




It's hard, now, to see Nicole Kidman and *not* think of Chloe Fineman's devastating impersonation (included here). But, gosh, I like Nicole Kidman. I like her very much.

In honor of Kidman's "Undoing" performance, and her prominent spot on the Times list of "25 Greatest 21st-Century Film Actors (So Far)," I'm listing my three favorite Nicole moments here.

They're all from "Rabbit Hole." Did you see this one? It's a bit of a mess. It landed Nicole an Oscar nomination, but people tend to forget about it. It's a film that asks us to believe that Nicole is the sibling of Tammy Blanchard. Also, we're meant to ignore the strange Australian accent that pops up now and then. Nevertheless.....here you go.....my favorite Nicole:

(3) Why didn't God just make another angel? Nicole's kid is dead, and Nicole is enraged to have to attend a grief support group. Someone prattles on about...."My kid *needed* to die....because God needed a new angel...." In a thrilling moment of transgression, Nicole rolls her eyes and says WHY DIDN'T GOD JUST MAKE A NEW ANGEL???

(2) I have an appointment. Here. With your director. In this scene, Nicole goes to Sotheby's, her former place of employment. Nicole has been a dormant ball of grief for several months, so we understand the cost involved in putting on a fancy dress and taking a train into the city. Nicole quickly discovers that all of her colleagues have moved on from Sotheby's, and that the security guard is feeling a mix of distrust and pity. Then Nicole sees *one* former colleague and desperately tries to make something out of their chance encounter. Nicole's eyes dart to the security guard; she wants her status noted. Frazzled, Nicole does a weird dance with the revolving door--and this electric moment almost seems like an act of assault. There is so much happening via subtext here. I'm obsessed.

(1) I may have been going over the speed limit. Nicole listens silently as a young teen confesses that his own carelessness may have led to the death of Nicole's son. Among my top moments in film history.

Again, "Rabbit Hole" is far from perfect, but it's like a gospel to me. Long live Nicole.

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