Rating: 
Summary: Suprise!
Review: A quirky change-of-pace role for Nicole Kidman as a Russian web-order bride who travels to England to marry a staid banker (Ben Chaplin); it isn't long before her host realizes that she's neither what he bargained for, nor whom she appears to be. The two stars are charming and create some intense chemistry ... but they're eventually let down by the script which can't decide whether it wants to evolve into a black comedy, a thriller, or a romance, and ends up becoming an unsatisfying mishmash of all three genres. Still worth watching, if only for Kidman's performance. (And yes, that is indeed she singing "Something Stupid" during the closing credits in a duet with Robbie Williams.)The DVD is packed with extras, including the campy music video of "Something Stupid" (Kidman appears with her hair style from "The Others"); a "Making of ..." featurette; and a slew of coming attractions trailers, including "The Others", "Gangs of New York", "In the Bedroom", and more. Recommended for fans of the multi-talented Ms. Kidman and the handsome Mr. Chaplin.
Rating:
Summary: exceeded my expectations
Review: My wife and I thought this was a good mix of comedic and thriller moments. I'm not a huge Kidman fan, but both she and Ben Chaplin are very good and work well together. Overall, it has a dark, somewhat absurdist humor that one would find in an Anthony Burgess novel. I've seen some reviews that say it is unrealistic--compared to what, Moulin Rouge or The Others? This movie makes no claims to be great art (thank goodness); it's just pretty nifty entertainment for a weekend afternoon.
Rating: 
Summary: Where is the edge?
Review: Perhaps I had too high expectations for this movie. I kept waiting for something either not predictable or edgy to happen, but the payoff never seems to materialize. It certainly isn't the fault of the actors who play their respective parts well. Nicole Kidman plays this part with the same intensity and passion as one of her best parts in the movie, "To Die For." Physically she is perfect to play what is in essence a Russian prostitute/scam artist. Ben Chaplin character of the frustrated lonely bank teller of 10 years is down pat for most of the movie. His sarcasm, wit, and mood swings once he finds out the truth about Nicole's scam is dead on. But the script itself has no hidden secrets. You know from the previews all along that Ben's character is going to be set up. There are a few twists thrown in but for the most part you knew everything that was coming. I found the ending to be completely unbelievable. Ben Chaplin's final decision is just way to out of character and you almost get the impression they shot about 4 different endings, previewed them all and took the easy way out.
There are worse ways to waste 90 minutes but its best to watch without lofty expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: Not believable, but fun
Review: This movie didn't interest me until after I saw Moulin Rouge. Then I had a sudden desire to see any film that had Nicole Kidman. While this is not a *good* film, it is certainly an enjoyable one, and I would recommend it as a guilty pleasure.
I didn't expect much, and I didn't get much. Kidman has a completely believable Russian accent (like I would know the difference) and she looks fantastic as usual. The characters were paper-thin: I didn't care for the banker at all, and I thought the "cousins" were more obnoxious than menacing. I found most of the story to shift between somewhat plausible and totally ludicrous. I asked "Why would they..." several times before I just stopped bothering. And yet, I watched the movie twice before I returned it to the video store, which I didn't do when I rented "Citizen Kane" (which I liked). So make of that what you will...
Rating: 
Summary: Utter Nonsense!!
Review: This movie [is bad]! Horrendous Plot, Lousy acting. a total waste of time.
after watching this movie, maybe gwyneth paltrow had been right about the english.
Rating: 
Summary: Wicked Movie
Review: This movie was awesome! If you think it looks bad, you're wrong! Dudes, just watch it because Nicole Kidman is so hot!
Rating:
Summary: A bad story.
Review: No complaints about the actings here. Kidman, Chaplin and even 2 psuedo Russian gangsters played by famous Frenchmen are fine. The story is bad and very PREDICTABLE. No fun at all. Neither romantic nor thrilling. I think custume designer did a good job here, but please AVOID.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste!
Review: Ok, I know this is a low budget film. I know it was not meant to be a big production, it's a low profile job. The trouble was how it was advertised. The cover is a swindle. "You're in for a big surprise", says, leading you to expect a highly suspenseful thriller. In the back cover, we have a picture of Ben Chaplin holding a gun in threatening way... Bu we have none of it in the movie, which is a shambles, a real mess. Kidman acting is alright, she's really improving day after day. But the plot.... what plot? The moments meant to be fun are not... The moments meant to be exciting are not. This is a waste of time
Rating:
Summary: Quirky, Offbeat ... but not very believable
Review: I won't bother to summarize the plot of this movie,... Overall I enjoyed it, especially the setup, but it really falls apart quite badly at the end. Almost nothing that happens after the protagonist frees himself from confinement is very believable. Kidman is good, as always, but I can't give this movie more than three stars. OK for a rainy afternoon, but not much more.
Rating:
Summary: The Rocky Road to Romance
Review: Ben Chaplin gives an underplayed and teriffic performance as a regular guy in England who knows that everyone is not lucky enough to meet the love of their life by chance. To this end, he decides to help things along via the internet, sending for a Russian girl he hopes will be the one. This Jez Butterworth directed film is full of suprises as it moves from a tentative romance to a crime thriller (of sorts) and back to romance again. It is all done so well that your interest never lags and you have absolutely no idea how this journey will end. Nicole Kidman is sexy and wonderful as John's (Chaplin) would be bride Nadia. The awkwardness of their first meeting at the airport and the drive home, punctuated by Nadia throwing up, is perfectly captured. She speaks no english at all and John wants to send her back at first. But Nadia is sexually agressive and wants to please John, each encounter better than the last. Finally, not only his body but his heart is involved as well. We know he has committed a part of his heart to Nadia when he begins leaving the engagement ring she gave him on at work, instead of taking it off as he had been. Their tentative romance takes an unusual turn when two of her pals from Russia show up to see her. Vincent Cassel as Alexi and actor/director Mathieu Kassovitz are very good as her seemingly harmless friends. But an advance made by one of them towards Nadia turns this into a crime thriller as he is forced to rob the bank he works at in order to save her. Only to late does he realize it is all part of a plan used many times across the world by the three. But something may have happened to Nadia as well during her time with John and the film slowly lets us see what could be something real developing between these two people who really don't know each other at all. John's plight is so involving we can't take our eyes off the screen, as this film has it's own special mood that never wavers, in spite of the shift in the story. John does all the stupid things we might do and Nadia's true heart leaves us guessing, and hoping, for some kind of resolution to the problems of these two people. We want John to succeed in the worst way, and Kidman does so much with her eyes and expressions we just know there has to be a way... This is a very good film with some great performances and some twists and turns that keep you watching. Both Chaplin and Kidman are mesmerizing. "Birthday Girl" is refreshing. In the end, what is real may actually be worth all the trouble John has gone through. This is a terrific film to own. Not everyone meets the love of their life in the normal way....
| 
