Nicole Kidman Stars As Lucille Ball In New Biopic — Critics Give First Impression

Jan 17, 2022 by apost team

With the release of a Lucille Ball inspired movie, Nicole Kidman has once again shown just how marvelous she is as an actress. Born on June 20, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kidman is an Australian actress and producer. She has starred in a number of films in various film genres, including the movie-musical “Moulin Rouge!” and the psychological horror film “The Others.” Some of her more recent works include the 2020 musical comedy film “The Prom” and the 2021 miniseries “Nine Perfect Strangers,” which she both starred in and produced.

Kidman has been married to country music star Keith Urban since 2006, and the pair share two children together. The actress has even credited her husband with helping her gain confidence and come more out of her shell. They are also both very supportive of each other’s successful careers and always make time to speak out about their latest projects.

It’s clear that Kidman has plenty of confidence when it comes time to work. The star is not afraid to undergo a bold transformation if it will help her get deeper into her role. Throughout her long career, Kidman has dramatically changed her look a number of times and the effort has certainly paid off when it comes time to review her final performance.

“Being the Ricardos” is a biographical drama film that was released in 2021, that shars Kidman as Ball, and shows the incredible transformation she went through to nail the part. The movie has already received plenty of reviews, with critics weighing in on just how believable Kidman’s performance is.

Undergoing Transformations

Kidman has shown her eclectic talents time and again over the course of her career, playing a variety of roles and characters with different looks over the years. From playing Virginia Woolf in “The Hours” with a prosthetic nose to donning a wig and heavy makeup in “How to Talk to Girls at Parties,” Kidman’s many looks have been iconic. Most recently, she donned red hair and studied the mannerisms and characteristics of Ball for her role in “Being the Ricardos.”

Ball was one of the most beloved actresses of all time. Known for her great comedic timing and charming demeanor, Ball paved the way for many future female stars in the entertainment industry. She skyrocketed to fame with her sitcom “I Love Lucy,” a show she both starred in and produced, showing just how talented she really was, starring alongside her then-husband. The series brought Ball great success and led to a series of spin-offs, helping the star continue her reign as one of the best sitcom actresses of all time.

“Being the Ricardos” stars Kidman as Ball and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz. Other notable actors in the film include J. K. Simmons, Nina Arianda and Tony Hale. The movie was released on Amazon Prime Video on Dec. 21, 2021, and shows what it was like for Ball and Arnaz to work together on “I Love Lucy.” 

Kidman underwent plenty of preparation to get ready for her role as such a notable woman in the entertainment industry, learning more about the way she moves and speaks, and of course, taking on some of Ball’s classic physical traits.

apost.com

Reviewing Her Performance

Speaking with CBS This Morning in early December 2021, Kidman said she felt pressured to look like Ball in the biopic, but director Aaron Sorkin encouraged her to focus more on the late star’s mannerisms. She explained:

“He was unwavering in his decision to go, ‘I just want you to inhabit her and the humanity of her, who she really is. I’m not interested in a carbon copy.’ But, that being said, I then went, ‘Well then in the show I have to look like her.’”

“Being the Ricardos” has since received positive reviews from critics, specifically praising Kidman and Bardem for their outstanding performances. Kyle Buchanan, a reporter for the New York Times, went to Twitter in November 2021 to share his thoughts. He wrote:

“Lucy, you’ve got some campaigning to do: BEING THE RICARDOS played well in its first screening, suggesting a solid awards contender. I bought Nicole more as offscreen, dramatic Lucy than as a sitcom, dynamo, but the audience still ate her and Javier Bardem up.”

Variety reporter Clayton Davis raved about Kidman’s performance under Sorkin’s direction. “Kidman embodies the essence of Ball, especially in her mannerisms during the rehearsals and filming of episodes,” he wrote. “She very well may break your heart, demanding the viewer’s sympathy and a best actress nomination may seem almost certainly in the cards for her.”

It’s evident that these critics were not alone in their praise for the actress’ portrayal of Ball, as Kidman not only received an award nomination for her role, but she went on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role as Ball.

Have you seen “Being the Ricardos” starring Nicole Kidman? What do you think about her work as an actress? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones, too.