BIRTHDAY GIRL
Released: February 1, 2002
A thirtysomething bank clerk from England (Ben Chaplin) has his small-town life thrown for a loop by the arrival of his Russian mail-order bride played by Nicole Kidman. Shot and ready for release before "Moulin Rouge" and "The Others", the folks at Miramax finally get around to releasing this odd entry into Kidman's resume. Her star has certainly risen to a popular and critical high since the aforementioned two flicks but what will her fans make of this story? It's partially a dark comedy or a straight drama. After Kidman arrives in Chaplin's life he is hesitant at first but gradually adapts to her company. Things take a turn for the worse when her alledged Russian cousin and his friend arrive unexpectedly. They are both played capably by French actors Vincent Cassell and Mathieu Kassovitz. It's not exactly potent enough to score as a dark comedy and neither is it credible as a drama because any guy who orders a mail order bride and gets Nicole Kidman had better be a tad suspicious. Directed by second time director Jez Butterworth.
93 Minutes
Miramax/Walt Disney