MilliOnAir Magazine Dec 2018 - Jan 2019 | Page 194

THE MAGIC OF THE MOVIE MAKE-UNDER

Nicole Kidman’s new thriller Destroyer sees the Australian A-Lister transform from dazzling to
down-at-heel, playing an emaciated, guilt-ridden LA cop reeling from personal tragedy. It’s as far
from traditional glamour as she’s ever been. No surprise then that the film’s release coincides with
Oscar season. Expect plenty of awards nods.

It’s almost part of a movie star’s to-do list now: going through hell to get closer to a character.
Charlize Theron gained over two stone to play killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Matthew
McConaughey lost three and a half for his turn as a dying rodeo star in Dallas Buyers’ Club. Both
won multiple gongs for their troubles. For actors who have had so much made of their good looks
- especially women - giving up that one currency for a 'serious' role is often lauded as brave. It
sends a clear message that they're serious about their craft; the ultimate sacrifice for one’s art.

But what are the down sides? Kidman herself has said that, even with the prosthetics removed,
she struggled to get out of character whilst filming Destroyer and would go home depressed at
night (much to the frustration of husband Keith Urban). And for women so frequently looking
elegant in the pages of beauty magazines, such a change can create sexist attention that their
male counterparts would arguably never have to endure. “I put on a few pounds. I also put on
some breasts” Renée Zellweger explained about her iconic turn as Bridget Jones. “But Bridget is