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As film critics argued over the merits of her latest film, Nicole Kidman took to the red carpet in Cannes overnight and turned in a performance that would have made Grace Kelly proud.
In town to promote “Grace of Monaco” – which some critics have hailed as the “worst film to ever open Cannes” and others have praised as a “perfectly-formed commercial hit” – Nicole outshone all-comers on the Cannes red carpet, sparkling in strapless, azure Armani Privé gown.
Looking happy and relaxed as she posed before banks of black-tie clad photographers, the Australian star said she was delighted to be back in France.
“I love it here,” she said. “We filmed in Monaco and Paris. I’ve spent a lot of time here. It’s lovely to be back.”
Under clear Cannes skies, and as the sun set on this renowned stretch of the French Riviera, the home-grown actress delighted fans by pushing past a police cordon and signing autographs.
“She is sublime,” gushed Antoinette from Nice, who scored a coveted Kidman signature. “Just magnificent. You could not imagine a more perfect Princess Grace.”
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Nicole Kidman sparkles on the red carpet at the ‘Grace of Monaco’ premiere.
Indeed, there was more than a hint of art imitating life to the proceedings.
Monaco, the principality ruled over by Grace Kelly’s children lies barely 50 kilometres up the coast from Cannes. And the film festival is renowned as the occasion, on which the Hollywood actress Grace Kelly first met Prince Rainier, whom she would go on to marry.
But the Monagesque royal family were noticeably absent from tonight’s proceedings, having earlier made clear their distaste for a film they believe defiles the memory of their father.
To her credit, none of this appeared to bother Nicole as she stood confidently on the steps of the Palais des Festivals and waved to a legion of film festival fans calling her name.
Other notables joining Nicole on the red carpet included co-stars Tim Roth and Paz Vega, plus Cannes jury members Jane Campion, Willem Dafoe and Gael Garcia Bernal.
