Emmys 2017: 15 movie stars who stole the small screen this year
Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies. Photo credit: HBO.
9. Nicole Kidman
The project: HBO’s Big Little Lies
The character: Celeste Wright, a brilliant lawyer, devoted wife and mother, and loyal friend. Celeste seems to have a picture perfect life — a hot younger husband, angelic twin sons, and an impressive-even-by-Monterey-standards house — but is actually trapped in an abusive marriage.
How she stole the small screen: Celeste is the most compelling element of Big Little Lies, which is no easy feat since all of the performances are spectacular, the plot is intriguing, and the series is gorgeously directed. At first, it’s hard to know what to think about Celeste’s relationship with Perry. Honestly, the character herself seems ambivalent about her marriage — they’re a volatile couple but are still intensely attracted to each other. But after the first episode or two, every scene with Celeste is imbued with a sense of dread. Even when she’s apart from Perry, the viewer is wondering what hell awaits her when she gets back home to him.
Personally, I think Kidman is best when Celeste and Perry argue while she’s folding clothes. Perry complains about the mess and tells her she should clean up more often. Things get scary when Celeste suggests that her husband could clean himself. As Perry slowly picks up the toys scattered around the room, Celeste gets more panicked and apologetic, and the tension mounts. It’s almost a relief when he dumps a basket full of LEGOs on her head. Those couple of minutes see Kidman quickly go through the spectrum of emotion: she’s annoyed, dismissive, defensive, cowed, nurturing, and terrified. Put simply, the performance is stellar.
Her past TV experience: Kidman was nominated for an Emmy for portraying Martha Gellhorn in the 2012 HBO TV movie Hemingway & Gellhorn. She appeared opposite Clive Owen. Kidman recently returned to the small screen again in Jane Campion’s murder mystery series, Top of the Lake: China Girl.
Awards recognition: Kidman is up for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie at the 2017 Emmys. Her Big Little Lies performance also nabbed a nomination for Individual Achievement in Drama at the Television Critics Association Awards.