During the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award, Morgan Freeman expressed the sentiment that was shared by everyone in attendance: Nicole Kidman has a unique ability to enhance the quality of any film she is a part of.
The video opened the Saturday night ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with a parody of Kidman’s AMC Theatres “we make movies better” ad. The line delivered in the video received uproarious laughter from the crowd of A-listers, spanning multiple generations, who were present to celebrate the impressive 40-year career of the 56-year-old Australian actress. Throughout her illustrious career, Kidman has graced the silver screen with memorable performances in films such as “Moulin Rouge,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” and even earned an Academy Award for her captivating role in “The Hours.”
Related posts
Meryl Streep, Kidman’s co-star in “The Hours” and presenter of the Life Achievement Award that Streep herself won in 2004, elicited laughter with her mock-boastful voice as she described the challenges of constantly being hailed as “the greatest actress of my generation.”
During the first day of their collaboration on the HBO series “Big Little Lies,” Streep recalled encountering Kidman, who she described as “really, really, really, really, really, really great.” It was during this interaction that Streep acknowledged the things Kidman accomplished, which she herself was unable to do.
During their time on the set of “Big Little Lies,” Streep and their fellow co-star Reese Witherspoon entertained the audience with their impeccable Australian-accented impressions of Kidman, leaving everyone in stitches.
Streep’s words brought tears to Kidman’s eyes as she shared her belief in what drove her.
Meryl Streep expressed her perspective on what is often referred to as bravery in the acting world. According to her, when an actress exposes herself emotionally and explores the depths of human experiences, it is not merely an act of bravery, but rather an act of love. Streep believes that these actresses have a deep passion and love for their craft, which motivates them to push boundaries and take on challenging roles.
Nicole Kidman became emotional during the event as her husband, Keith Urban, expressed his gratitude for her unwavering support during his battle with substance abuse. Urban acknowledged that Kidman had shown him the true meaning of love through her actions, especially during the early years of their marriage when his struggles surfaced shortly after their wedding in 2006.
“Looking at Kidman, who sat on a dais with their two daughters and other family members, Urban reflected on the challenging start to their marriage. He revealed, “Four months into our marriage, I found myself in rehab for three months.” Despite facing various negative voices, Urban acknowledged Kidman’s unwavering support and love. He added, “Nic pushed through every obstacle, even her own doubts, and she chose love. And now, here we are, 18 years later.”
Nicole Kidman revealed that the recent event marked a significant milestone as it was the first time she let her teenage daughters accompany her on the red carpet. It is worth mentioning that Kidman shares two children with her former spouse, Tom Cruise.
She received the AFI award at the same venue where she had accepted her Oscar in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in “The Hours.”
She expressed her gratitude to all the directors she has collaborated with, including the likes of Stanley Kubrick, Jane Campion, Baz Luhrmann, Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sydney Pollack, and Lars von Trier.
Nicole Kidman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to create films and television shows, acknowledging the storytellers who allowed her to freely explore unconventional female characters. She shared these sentiments while wearing a stunning, floor-length gold gown. Kidman also thanked the creators for helping her improve her craft and giving her a temporary place in the world of entertainment.
In November 2022, it was announced that Kidman would be honored with the prestigious award. This award, which has been given out since 1973, has recognized notable individuals such as Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Alfred Hitchcock, Gene Kelly, Sidney Poitier, Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, and Julie Andrews.
The ceremony, which was initially set for June 2023, had to be postponed due to the strikes in Hollywood. However, it is now scheduled to be broadcasted on TNT on June 17.
Nicole Kidman received Academy Award nominations for several films, including “Moulin Rouge,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Lion,” and “Being the Ricardos.” Aaron Sorkin, the director of “Being the Ricardos,” also expressed admiration for her during the ceremony.
Nicole Kidman kickstarted her acting journey as a teenager in Australia, starring in movies like “Bush Christmas” and “BMX Bandits.” A delightful anecdote shared by her friend Naomi Watts recalls their early encounter, where both of them found themselves waiting in a room wearing bathing suits for a grueling two-hour audition. Esteemed Australian actors Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Cate Blanchett paid tribute to Kidman through heartfelt video messages, celebrating her historic achievement as the first Australian to win the prestigious award.
In a video played at the ceremony, Kidman mentioned how her role in the 1989 thriller “Dead Calm” caught the attention of various individuals, including Cruise. Interestingly, this was the only time his name was mentioned during the event.
In 1990, she had a major breakthrough in Hollywood when she starred alongside him in “Days of Thunder.” It was during this time that they also got married. They continued to work together in films such as “Far and Away” in 1992 and Kubrick’s last film, “Eyes Wide Shut,” in 1999.
After divorcing Cruise in 2001, her stardom continued to soar. In fact, some of her most significant roles and her Oscar win were yet to come.
One of the most frequently mentioned highlights of the awards show on Saturday night was her remarkable musical performance in Luhrmann’s 2001 film “Moulin Rouge.”
During his in-person presentation, Freeman, the 2011 AFI honoree, delighted Kidman by serenading her with the modified Elton John lines she sings in the film: “How wonderful life is, now you’re in the world.”
