Could best friends Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts end up duking it out Best Actress, with both women taking on biopics of famous faces? It looks to be that way as Kidman’s “Grace Of Monaco” will now test its elegance against Watts’ “Diana.”
The Olivier Hirschbiegel film, penned by Steven Jeffreys (“The Libertine“), will focus on Princess Diana’s affair with Dr. Hasnat Kahn (played by “Lost” star Naveen Andrews) that lasted from 1995 until a few months before her death in 1997. It was a tumultuous time for the royal, who was increasingly trying to find ways to avoid the press who dogged her every move, which became a factor in the relationship eventually ending. It’s a meaty role, taking on a particularly interesting moment in Diana’s life and Entertainment One have snapped up the North American rights, and are planning an Oscar season release.
So, could it be Kidman, Watts and Meryl Streep (for “August: Osage County“) as early Best Actress locks? Never say never, but there is still a long, long way to go. [Deadline]
Naomi is such a fine actor. In 10 years time, she will be regarded as one of the greatest actors ever. The one thing I like about her is that she refuses to sell out (She could have made a gazillion number of blockbusters after Ring and King Kong). She fearlessly takes on difficult roles and invests so much into her performances. Each of them distinct and profound. She understands that film is a directors medium and strives to work with fine directors. Case in point ; Lynch, Haneke, Cronenberg and soon Herzog. She is open to learning and with every movie she continues to grow as an actor. Forget all the Meryl Streeps of America (Ms. Streep mostly works with lousy directors in Oscar bait movies. I never considered her that good)., Naomi is in a league of her own. The actresses who can be compared to her are probably Juliette Binoche (when she works with great directors – Kieslowski, Haneke, Kiarostami, Malle, Hou Hsiao Hsien) and Isabelle Huppert. She is on that level. I do not watch movies for actors but this woman has never failed to impress me. I have to say that I am converted.
PS: I would love to see her work again with Lynch. Plus I am so excited about the Herzog movie. And also the Marilyn one if she is still in it.
Many prejudgment right here based solely on distributor. Look at Only God Forgives has Weinstein right behind its back, was panned so hard.
Should distribution be awarded in Oscar – Best Distributor?
Have to say the whole premise is a bore. It will take a lot more interest, reviews etc to move me anywhere near where it is playing.
there is no way this is oscar material, noboby wanted it at Cannes
Considering the distributor, and the fact that the film was screened in its entirety in Cannes and none of the bigger distributors wanted to touch it (it took this long for someone to snatch it), I'm pretty sure Diana is dead in the water.