Directed by Gus Van Sant1995 Black Comedy
Rated R
****
Nicole Kidman gives the performance of her career in Gus Van Sant's underrated 1995 black docucomedy. Kidman stars as Suzanne Stone Maretto, an aspiring news journalist who won't let anything stop her from getting to the top; even if it requires murder. She hires three slacker high-school students (Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Alison Folland) to murder her husband (Matt Dillon), whose idea of a good life unfortunately clashes with hers. Kidman is absolutely perfect at making EVERYTHING about her; even at her husbands funeral, she elects to play "All By Myself" to send off her husband. When the movie occasionally falters, Kidman is always there to pick it right back up. Don't let the deceiving midnight Showtime cover fool you; this is a biting, hilarious and honest look at what some people will do to get to the top.
