Tag: NicoleKidman

Holland

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Nancy Vandergroot (Nicole Kidman) is a teacher and homemaker who lives in Holland, Michigan. Together with her husband Fred (Matthew Macfadyen) and her son Harry (Jude Hill), they seem to have the perfect life. But when Nancy starts to suspect that Fred has a secret, she joins forces with her colleague and friend Dave (Gael García Bernal) to find out what it is.

Director Mimi Cave splashed onto the scene with 2022’s Fresh which was a runaway hit. Many have wondered what she would do next though I suspect they weren’t thinking it would be this. From what I have seen so far, not many have been a fan of her sophomore outing, but I actually quite liked it!

We already know that I will watch anything that Kidman is in; she is one of the greatest actors of our time. Though this may not be one of her most iconic roles, the slightly awkward character of Nancy was fun to watch. The rest of the performances were well done too. Macfadyen’s Fred certainly gave off a mysterious air and Bernal, who harboured some secrets of his own, seemed to fit right in.

Though this didn’t take place in The Netherlands, there was enough to make me feel like I was right at home. The various tulip fields, the windmill and the Dutch songs and words that were spoken throughout were a trip. I honestly did not know there was a Holland in Michigan, but at least I do now.

The film was very slow burn. I can understand that for this reason alone it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I couldn’t help but feel invested throughout. There was just something about it that gripped me from the beginning and while it may not have had the pay off I was hoping for, I still found it satisfying enough.

Overall Holland was an interesting film that blurred the lines between what is real and what is not. As the audience, you never really know if what is happening is in Nancy’s imagination, or if it’s real life. I liked that we could make up our own interpretation of the events that transpired and how we will never really have any answers. I felt like it worked for the story.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Babygirl

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From director Halina Reijn comes an erotic thriller about power and the lengths people will go to for their desires. Romy (Nicole Kidman) has it all. She’s the CEO of a high profile company and she has a doting husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) and two daughters. But something is missing. Embarking on a torrid affair with a much younger intern named Samuel (Harris Dickinson), Romy puts everything on the line.

Kidman is one of the greatest actors of our time. I’ve been a fan of hers since Moulin Rouge! and this performance is definitely one of her best. She really gives it everything she has and bares it all. It’s vulnerable, nuanced and twisted all at the same time and I sincerely commend her for her dedication. Dickinson was impressive as well. There was something slightly unnerving about the character of Samuel, though I just became more and more enthralled by him. I would have loved to learn more about his backstory. Banderas also gave a solid performance as well. He really makes you feel for his character.

The subject matter of this film is not for the faint hearted. With many explicit scenes, one may wonder if they’re really necessary. While there is a lot of sex, it is integral to the plot and to Romy’s story as she explores a side of herself she didn’t know she wanted. These scenes are never gratuitous and instead serve a purpose. They may even be uncomfortable, but they are real and honest.

Power is the running theme throughout. Romy is the matriarch of her family and the big boss at work, but that isn’t really what she wants. Though she claims she needs to be in control, the tables are turned when Samuel comes around and starts telling her what to do. It’s almost as if the two are dancing around one another, pushing the limits and seeing how far they can really go before it all goes up in flames.

I’ve seen a lot of divisive reactions to Babygirl and I agree that it’s not one of those films that’s just black and white. It’s a study of these characters and what really makes them tick down to the deep, dark crevices of their minds. The performances alone made this worth watching for me. With that impending feeling of doom, I was completely engrossed and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

A Family Affair

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In Netflix’s newest romantic comedy offering, Zara Ford (Joey King) works for movie superstar Chris Cole (Zac Efron) who is the worst boss ever. By a twist of fate, Chris strikes up a relationship with Zara’s mother Brooke (Nicole Kidman).

This is not the first time we’ve seen a relationship blossom between an older woman and a younger man. I liked how this time around the age factor wasn’t the focal point of the story. Instead the audience is invited into the worlds of these characters as they embark on a journey of self discovery. Of course some hijinks ensue. There are some laugh out loud moments and one in particular that had my husband reaching for the remote to rewind it and watch it again.

At the core is a heartfelt story about finding yourself and growing up. Sure Chris and Brooke form the central romance, but I really liked the depiction of the mother daughter relationship between Zara and Brooke and that of Brooke and her mother in law Leila (Kathy Bates). It really helped tie it all together for me.

The cast was what definitely made the film. King, although a bit whiny at times, was relatable as the lead. Efron proves he’s still a heartthrob and Kidman is as lovely and beautiful as ever. At first I didn’t buy their chemistry, but I have to say that it did eventually win me over. The fact that they got Bates for the grandmother was genius and we can’t leave out the supporting cast of Liza Koshy and Sherry Cola as Zara friends Eugenie and Stella.

Overall, A Family Affair may not add anything new to the genre, but it is a perfectly fine flick with something everyone can enjoy. Thanks to the star studded cast and the emotional material it left me feeling satisfied.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️