Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Australian Film Industry snubs Kidman

"Don't worry about the AFI, Nicole. You still got to work with me!"

The nominations for the 51st AFI Awards were announced last week. Lady Kidman was overlooked for a best actress nomination in Australia, while the film also missed out on a best picture nomination. Hugh Jackman and Baz Luhrmann also missed out on nominations. The film has picked up nominations in other categories, including best supporting actor (Brandon Walters). Let's admit it, the kid was probably the best thing about the film.
Despite doing reasonably well at the Box Office in Australia, the film received poor reviews from critics worldwide. Kidman's performance was heavily criticised, and she was also overlooked at the Academy Awards earlier this year. It's no surprise to Nicole Kidman's Journey that Nic missed out on a nomination in her home country. The film was way too long, and it was difficult watching a wooden performance, frozen face and pumped lips for nearly three hours.

Sophie Lowe and Frances Oconnor are among the nominees for best actress for their roles in Beautiful Kate and Blessed. The AFI Awards will be held on 12 December in Melbourne. I guess we won't see Nicole and Keith in the audience, right?

7 comments:

STFU said...

well I am sorry you didn't like the movie. I realise lots of people hated it, but I thought it was great. she did her best in it, can't ask for much more than that. The AFI were probably right to ignore her, as there has been much better performances in films lately. Still, I did like Australia as a whole. I like big epic films.

Anonymous said...

It actually surprised me. I didn't think I'd care for it but it was a pretty good movie. The scenery was beautiful. I really stayed glued and wanted to watch it until the end.

Anonymous said...

We're all entitled to our opinions...however when you have a global consensus like this, specifically targeting the leading lady's performance, maybe, just maybe, she really sucked...taking the movie and other hard-working actors down with her.... Pssss, and the primary blame is going to Botox!!!!!

maclen said...

Clearly, the critical and box office disappointment that was Australia will no doubt have an chilling effect on future aussie productions. As I've already noted, the new aussie based mad max 4 film which will soon start filming sometime next year...interestingly will star the "english" tom hardy and "south african" charlize theron... and not the predominately aussie cast of the original films. (mel gibson's involvement, or non involvement probably having been already decided by his own behavior!) Interesting, the casting of english hardy to lead in this aussie based flick is the opposite of kidman's being cast in the film Australia...to play an english woman is ironic...the bazz would have been, in the end, better off simply hiring an actual english actress in the part, instead of the faux actress kidman!

Anonymous said...

I'm one of those that hated it. After all the hype and proclamations that it was going to be one of the greatest movies ever made - what an embarressing pile of drivel it turned out to be. The AFI probably hopes that it will get forgotten quickly in order to restore some credibility. I found films like Balibo and Bright Star far better on every level than the big splashy hyped up Australia. Abbie Cornish could certainly give Nicole Kidman a few acting lessons.

Australia sucked big time said...

I can't even bring myself to watch it a second time. A friend has the DVD and has offered it to me, but I have warned him that I will use it as a coaster.

Australia was the decade's most dreadful film.

Choice said...

Hi Maclen - thanks for Mad Max 4 update. I thought Sam Worthington was tipped to play the new Max. He is an Aussie. Maybe they are worried he will do a diva act too.