Despite winning an Academy Award and being nominated on two other occasions before this year's ceremony, it seems that many people have only just realised that Nicole Kidman is a good actress.
The Australian is having is a real moment in 2017 thanks in part to her fourth Oscar nomination for Lion but mostly due to her turn in HBO's Big Little Lies which looks destined to be rewarded with some Emmy love in September.
But why has she never received her dues before now? And been considered lesser than contemporaries such as Cate Blanchett and Julieanne Moore?
Variety Film Critic, Guy Lodge was dismayed that people were only waking up to Kidman's greatness following the conclusion of Big Little Lies and decided to start the #KidmanWorldCup in appreciation of the actress. The #KidmanWorldCup is exactly what it sounds like, every one of the Oscar Winner's performances pitted against each other in Twitter pools until one comes out victorious as the ultimate Nicole Kidman performance.
I'm really envious of the people whose eyes have been opened by Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies. They still have to see Birth!
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) April 5, 2017
So, let's embark on what, for too long, the sporting world has been crying out for: A Nicole Kidman World Cup. #KidmanWorldCup
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) April 5, 2017
The competition was brutal and the final four came down to Moulin Rouge vs To Die For in one semi-final while The Others duked it out with Birth in the other semi-final.
First up, vote for your favourite performance in SEMI-FINAL #1:#KidmanWorldCup
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) April 7, 2017
And now, vote for your favourite performance in SEMI-FINAL #2:#KidmanWorldCup
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) April 7, 2017
To Die For faced off with Birth in an very tightly contested final and it was the 1995 Gus Van Sant film that ultimately reigned victorious, taking 52% of the votes. Which is quite fitting really as this was the performance that first made critics take note of what she was capable of after she'd previously been dismissed as little more than Mrs. Tom Cruise.
Many Kidman fans in the industry gave their two cents during the tournament. Moonlight director Barry Jenkins threw his weight behind Birth.
People of Twitter we must defend the honor of BIRTH!!! Get those votes in! https://t.co/Lyg89sRwK8
— Barry Jenkins (@BandryBarry) April 6, 2017
Melanie Lynskey also got in on the act and backed the eventual winner.
Nicole Kidman in To Die For is better than pretty much anyone in anything ever, including Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. #KidmanWorldCup https://t.co/SSa9gt4ePZ
— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) April 7, 2017
Via Variety