Nicole Kidman names Australian cinema’s greatest character: “That female is iconic for me”
It can sometimes feel as though the romance genre is inundated with predictable love stories, not quite scratching the collective itch we have for genuinely well-made rom-coms with convincing relationships and believable chemistry.
The likes of The Notebook and Notting Hill are often heralded as the reigning successes of this genre, with characters that have grown so familiar to us after endless rewatches and dialogue that we can quote in our sleep. We all love to watch the unfurling of what feels like true romance, but sometimes we might have to look harder to find them, with some of the greatest love stories sometimes happening in the most unsuspecting of places.
Nicole Kidman has taken part in many great love stories over the years, with some who might argue that the likes of Moulin Rouge and Birth are some of the most unconventional and devastating depictions of love on the silver screen. From her portrayal of a woman struggling with grief and pining for her dead husband to the intense affair at the heart of Babygirl, Kidman has truly played it all, listing one lesser-known romance and the main character in it as her greatest inspiration.
Period romances have evolved into one of the more popular iterations of the genre, with My Brilliant Career being one of the most sorely under-seen and striking additions. It tells the story of a determined young woman who is intent on having a brilliant career, who suddenly finds her life disturbed by an unexpected romance.
Sybylla, the lead character, was one of the most revolutionary on-screen at the time. Director Gilliam Armstrong worked in a pioneering manner to create a story that is both incredibly moving and challenging in its exploration of female identity, beauty, and freedom.
Given that it is set in Australia, it has become a beloved classic for those who hail from that side of pond, with Nicole Kidman describing her undying love for the movie and Sybylla, saying, “And I know every Australian actress says My Brilliant Career, but you have to remember: I had red hair, and so did Judy Davis in that film; and I had freckles, and so did she.”
Adding, “So I related to Sybylla, and I wanted to be with Sam Neill! Those were extraordinary scenes for me – but you know, the flies, the sound of the flies and that wild red hair flying and that wind and that dusty landscape… And that female is iconic for me in my history.”
The sight of Sybylla and Harry (played by Sam Neill) rolling around in the garden and letting out their sexual frustration through a very charged pillow fight is one of the most stunning scenes ever caught on film, with tension between both characters as they try to suppress their feelings shining through in every scene. Judy Davis is spectacular in the role, both headstrong and vulnerable in her pursuit of freedom and conflicting feelings over how true love might impact this freedom.
Even within today’s cinematic landscape, it still remains a hugely groundbreaking film, and it is not surprising that this would have been so influential to Kidman.
