The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood reverberated with accolades and laughter as industry icons gathered to celebrate the distinguished career of Nicole Kidman, awarded the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award. With Morgan Freeman’s eloquent declaration, “Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better,” the evening encapsulated the high regard and affection the film community holds for Kidman. This sentiment was echoed throughout the ceremony, highlighted by a humorous spin on her “We Make Movies Better” AMC Theatres advertisement that had attendees chuckling heartily.
Amidst the laughter and the prestigious accolades, there were moments of personal triumph and vulnerability that resonated deeply with the audience. Meryl Streep, a previous recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award and Kidman’s esteemed co-star in “The Hours,” shared a humorous take on being constantly hailed as the greatest actress of her generation and humbly acknowledged Kidman’s excellence which she witnessed firsthand on the set of “Big Little Lies.” Streep and Reese Witherspoon, sharing the stage, each mimicked Kidman with a precise Australian accent to the crowd’s amusement.
The emotional crescendo of the evening was reached when Streep expressed that Kidman’s profound portrayals on screen were not merely a product of bravery, but rather of love—a sentiment that brought tears to Kidman’s eyes. Keith Urban, Kidman’s husband, deeply moved the honoree and the assemblage with his testament of her unwavering support during his battle with substance abuse, a trying time for their relationship that ultimately fortified their bond.
Amidst the glitz and the shimmering-gold elegance of her gown, Nicole Kidman graciously accepted the AFI Life Achievement Award with an air of modesty and gratitude. Her speech was a tribute to the creative minds she has worked alongside, from directors like Stanley Kubrick and Jane Campion to her recent collaborator, Aaron Sorkin. Kidman expressed her joy and honor in bringing to life a myriad of unconventional female characters through film and television, crediting her directors and collaborators for enhancing her craft.
The night was also the first occasion Kidman permitted her teenage daughters to accompany her on a red carpet event, offering them a glimpse into their mother’s illustrious career. Memories of her past, including her breakthrough role in the thriller “Dead Calm” and her Hollywood ascension alongside then-husband Tom Cruise in “Days of Thunder,” filled the evening’s narrative. However, the mention of Cruise’s name that night was fleeting; instead, Kidman’s career was celebrated for the individual triumphs and the incredible work that followed their split.
Nicole Kidman’s journey has been a spectacle of extraordinary performances and tenacity, from her early days in Australian cinema to an Oscar triumph and beyond. Her role in Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge” was repeatedly praised by her colleagues during the awards ceremony, symbolizing her versatility and the indelible mark she has left on Hollywood. The industry’s admiration was encapsulated in Freeman’s serenade, adapting the Elton John lyrics sung by Kidman in the film: “How wonderful life is, now you’re in the world.”
Previously announced in November 2022, Kidman’s recognition by the American Film Institute places her amongst a pantheon of previous honorees like Alfred Hitchcock and Sidney Poitier. While the customary celebration was slated for June 2023, it was delayed due to industry-wide strikes; the event will make its way to television screens, airing on TNT on June 17, 2024.
Yet, beyond the glittering lights and festivity, Kidman’s portrayal of bold, unconventional women remains a testament to her enduring impact on both English and World cinema—an impact celebrated with reverence and joy at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony.
