Rating: 
Summary: Solid romantic comedy with an edge.
Review: Nicole really is a great actress (don't ask me what happened with 'Eyes Wide Shut'), and she proves it here once again. This is somewhat of a farce and it's essential that the viewer accept the premise in order to go along for the ride. The movie starts off slowly, but I found the payoff at the end to be very satisfying. There is a lot of subtlety and wit in the dialog and the acting. This is a movie that plays to the smart crowd. Most of the jokes and plot points could be missed if you weren't paying attention. Nicole's behavior arc, in particular, is very believable and compelling. By the end of the movie, you are convinced that she is not only a beautiful Russian woman, but a very smart and complex human being, as well.
Rating: 
Summary: ßâëÿþòñÿ Âàìè æèðàô?
Review:
Pretty good movie in that it shows the motivations and desperation of a mail-order bride through the protagonist, who, at the end of the movie, finds himself in the same position as his new 'wife' was at the beginning.
Good drama that gets a bit slow toward the end, but is otherwise a great movie.
-- JJ Timmins
Rating: 
Summary: This Mail Order Bride Should've Been Returned!
Review: Nicole and Ben's performances were fine but this movie didn't know if it wanted to be a romantic comedy or an action thriller, it failed at both.
Rating: 
Summary: MAKE A WISH
Review: Srait-laced Englishman John (Ben Chaplin) gets more than he bargained for when a Russian mail order bride service fixes him up with Nadia (Nicole Kidman), an enigmatic beauty who speaks no English but knows other ways to get through to her man! When two of Nadia's cousins unexpectedly drop in on the couple things take a turn for the bizarre, but is it too late for John to put everything right? It's hard to talk about a mystery film's plot without being a spoiler, so let's just say this is a smart, witty and surprisingly complex story that is never what you think it is. The cover copy touts "Birthday Girl" as an intense thriller, but it's much more than that. This is really more of a drama with alternately dark, funny, and surreal undertones that always switches hats at just the right time. The dialogue is literate and true-to-life, and the acting is absolutely first-rate on the part of both leads. Clever and poignant, "Birthday Girl" is a great story of what can happen when Cupid misfires.
Rating:
Summary: First-rate!
Review: Here is a film that is well-conceived and well-executed. And, even better, Nicole Kidman turns in a fine hard/soft performance. Paired with Ben Chapman, the lacklustre bank employee who orders a Russian bride, Kidman is terrific as the non-English-speaking female who arrives at Heathrow to meet her future husband. Chapman is the perfect foil; the two play off each other in wonderful fashion. Both characters turn out to have more substance than it seems initially, and there are funny moments as well as surprisingly touching ones. Kidman's Russian and her accent are delivered very naturally with none of that Meryl Streepish showiness that invariably made the viewer overly aware of how effectively (or not) she'd done her homework. This is a rewarding film, not only because the script is good but also because of a fine cast--particularly Kidman's two Russian "friends" who arrive on her birthday and set some mad events in motion.
Worth noting: Kidman's wardrobe is just terrific--a fabulously conceived rendering of Russian punk-chic. Big points to the costume designer.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: I Liked It but Hubby Iffy/Kidman & Chaplin good duo
Review: This is quirky little film. I enjoyed it primarily because of Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin. Kidman has been coming more and more into her own as an actress and this performance is no exception. She is very talented and is taking very diverse roles. She and Ben Chaplin make a very attractive couple and you will find yourself rooting for them. She is a Russian internet ordered girlfriend for Chaplin. He is dismayed to discover she doesn't speak any English although she wrote him letters in English. However, her communication abilities are ample in the bedroom so he keeps her. But then her two buddies from Russia show up and suddenly Chaplin's character is facing a whole new, much more threatening situation. I like Kidman better with Chaplin than I ever liked her as Tom Cruise's costar. I think it is worth giving a try.
Rating:
Summary: She Sparkles
Review: "Birthday Girl" is excellent because of the wonderful performance of Nicole Kidman. She shows herself to be an actress of great depth by the distinct characters she has chosen to play. In the bonus materials, Ben Chaplin describes that he was working with an "actress," not a movie star. She is marvelous as the girl who smiles and says "Yes" when asked if she's a giraffe. Ben Chaplin seems to generate good chemistry with her as the wild-eyed innocent who falls for her. We see the plot weave back and forth and wonder who will end up with whom. Vincent Cassel as Alexi and Mathieu Kassovitz as Yuri turn in great performances. The accomplishment seems even greater when you realize that neither of these two nor Kidman speak Russian. Cassel and Kassovitz are famous French actors; Kidman learned Russian from a woman in the Russian embassy in Australia. Jez Butterworth does slingshot us through great changes. The scene where Nicole almost gets boiling water poured on her head was almost too much for me. Always the sucker for the happy ending, I was glad to see Kidman and Chaplin walk off hand in hand to Russia, knowing that we're seeing happily ever after and not just a romance til the end of next week. I didn't fully understand why Chaplin was attracted to bondage. It didn't seem to add much to the romantic aspect of the film, but did show how far Nadia (NK) would go. All in all, this film is great to watch brilliant actors at their craft. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: From Russia With Love
Review: This film really seems to be in two parts. The first part is the story of a lonely, sex-starved bank teller (Ben Chaplin) who takes a desperate chance when he arranges to meet a Russian girl through a match-making service. Nicole Kidman plays the Russian girl who is clearly not what she seems. Chaplin stuggles with the rather difficult physical reality of a real-life girl (vs the bondage magazines that have comprised the sum total of his sex-life), and a self-assured Kidman takes charge of the situation. The film switches tempo when acquaintances from Russia arrive and upset the cosy little domestic nest Chaplin and Kidman seem to be building together. The remainder of the film disintegrates into a mawkish mess and descends into a ridiculous ending. Two stars for this one--salvaged from a lone star thanks to Chaplin's impeccable performance. Nothing against Kidman--but aren't there any Russian actresses out there?
Rating:
Summary: Birthday Girl- An Amazing Sexy Thriller
Review: I must say after seeing thie movie, I was very pleased. Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin do a great job in this steamy erotic thriller from director Jez Butterworth. The plot was great, the acting was great and Nicole Kidman is better than ever. Kidman helps this movie a lot, she's amazing as a sexy, russian male bride,who pleases Ben Chaplin very much. Nicole is beautiful and really makes this movie sparkle. If you like Kidman see this film, it truly is fantastic. A great film, with heart,love,comedy and some great sexuality. A true masterpiece! The DVD also includes some lovely features. Nicole Kidman is gorgeous and does a beautiful job in Birthday Girl! I loved it and you will too if you see it that is! Buy the DVD or rent the video. Not the best choice for kids, but if they're with an adult, it might be okay. So, see Birthday Girl, available to own on August 13! A great sexy, twisted thriller!
Rating:
Summary: Same story as Original Sin with Banderas/Jolie
Review: Nicole is hot in this movie, and very believable as a sexy Russian golddigger chick. If you have seen Original Sin you will know exactly how this movie will end. The difference is Original Sin is set in the past over 100 years ago, and Birthday Girl brings this story about one of the oldest cons in the book into contemporary times. The ending is again a bit upside-down, obviously intended to make the audience feel better about human nature. Enjoyable flick anyways, with some good tongue-in-cheek humour.
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