Nicole Kidman’s Film Praised at Venice Film Festival
“Babygirl”, starring Nicole Kidman, received a six-minute standing ovation and high praise from critics at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.On August 30th (local time), the film premiered at the festival, competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award. After the screening, the Hollywood star embraced the director, beaming at the audience’s enthusiastic applause. The film, directed by Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn, features Kidman as Romy, a high-ranking executive who engages in an affair with a much younger intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. The movie also stars Antonio Banderas and Sophie Wilde in supporting roles.
The film holds a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews. Deadline commented, “Halina Reijn leaves plenty for audiences to ponder regarding the human condition.” Owen Gleiberman of Variety remarked, “Babygirl has many unexpected elements that capture the psyche of women in today’s era.”
Screen Daily noted, “Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson excel in the lead roles—characters locked in a power struggle. The director’s vision wouldn’t have been as impactful without the synergy of these two actors.”
From the standpoint of the Associated Press, Kidman and Dickinson spent time studying and discussing their acting approaches together before filming in New York. The production team also hired an intimacy coordinator to guide the actors through certain romantic scenes. After Venice, Babygirl is set to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and will be released in North American theaters in December.
Nicole Kidman, 57, was born to Australian parents in Hawaii. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful actresses in both her career and personal life. From the standpoint of IMDb, Kidman has received 258 nominations and won 111 awards, including an Academy Award and five Golden Globes. She is a familiar face at the Venice Film Festival, having starred in the 2004 Golden Lion contender Birth, directed by Jonathan Glazer.
Kidman has two daughters with country singer Keith Urban, whom she married in 2006. Previously, she was married to Tom Cruise, but they divorced in 2001, sharing two adopted children, Isabella and Connor. The actress resides in Nashville, Tennessee, for privacy and often accompanies her children on tour with Urban across the United States.
