In "Destroyer," Nicole Kidman plays a Los Angeles detective broken by her past and out for revenge. It's role unlike any the 51-year-old actress has ever played, which is saying something given her long and varied career, and it resulted in a Golden Globe nomination for lead actress in a motion picture drama.
Kidman won two Golden Globes last year, for producing and starring in the HBO limited series "Big Little Lies." She has four other wins and a total of 14 nominations. She's thrilled to be returning to the party for a low-budget indie movie close to her heart. (The movie opens Christmas Day.)
Q: Where were you when you heard the news?
A: I just got off a plane from Australia. That's why my voice sounds all froggy. I was there for a couple of weeks to take care of my mom and do the Australian film awards. So I landed at 6 here in Los Angeles, turned on my phone and it just blew up with all these text messages. I couldn't be happier. For "Destroyer" to get acknowledged like this ... it's so important for this little, independent film.
Q: Because "Destroyer" is not an easy film. And playing this character took you on a real journey.
A: I'm in every frame of the film. And you're right, it's not an easy film, and she's not an easy character to embrace. I wasn't sure I wanted to play her, honestly. In the middle of filming, I wondered what I had gotten myself into ... but that happens a lot with me. I don't want to be pigeonholed, so I take these parts and then the terror seeps in.
I see my character in this movie as deeply female. She's a tough, dangerous woman. And hopefully, with this kind of female being recognized like this, it will make financiers want to support and make low-budget, indie movies with female directors and complicated, daring women characters.
Q: Have you spoken with director Karyn Kusama? She must be ecstatic.
A: I have. I share this with Karyn. This movie is her baby, and this nomination is such an acknowledgement for her. Living with this character for several weeks wasn't easy, and having a collaborator like her made it possible.
Q: When we spoke last month, you told me that you brought the character home _ it was impossible not to do that. And by the end, [your husband] Keith [Urban] was asking, "Why in the hell did you take this role?"
A: He saw the blood. That's what he said to me this morning: "You bled for this film." He didn't know I had been nominated. I had to tell him. He was busy getting two little girls ready for school
Q: What did your daughters have to say about their mom's big morning?
A: Sunday said, "Yeah. Now can I see it?" I've shown her bits of it. Really, just the scene of the me piggybacking my daughter through the snow. To me, that's the essence of motherhood.
Q: And what did Fifi say?
A: "Oh. Really? For that film?" [Laughs] Then it was like, "Should I wear braids or pigtails?"
Q: What's the correct answer?
A: Braids. Braids are always better. You know, just in case of lice at school. [Laughs] Back to motherhood. ...
