Destroyer

First of please ignore the pointless poor reviews in this section, a low score and calling it terrible? At least explain!I've been a huge fan of Nicole Kidman's ever since 2001 and even before then. For me she is one of the most versatile and powerful actresses to ever grace the big screen. Even Meryl Streep herself is a big fan and in awe of Kidman's talents. ''Destroyer'' Nicole's performance is exactly why she is an Oscar winning actress. She goes to those places that very few have past and present. The character Erin Bell portrayed by Kidman is easily one of her finest to date, very complex character. If you like a strong female lead, gorgeous cinematography and crime thrillers and appreciate the more arty types this is the film to see. I won't mention any spoilers, I'll just add that the ending as the film wrapped up, is one of those when it finishes, i was so in awe of what i just saw. I just sat there, thinking about the characters as the credits played. It stayed with me.By the way It's not all action in every scene, there are certainly moments. Some with poor attention spans might call it slow, but i personally wouldn't. I was blown away by the acting, the cinematography, the score. Great work from the director. One thing i will add is, the flashback scenes aren't confusing at all, again people with poor attention spans! Nicole's appearance in the present day should be a big help. It's not rocket science people.Please give this film a chance and support it. Smaller films like this although they have critical appreciation, they deserve to be seen way more . We need more films like this. This, Toni Collette in ''Hereditary'' and Tilda Swinton in ''Suspiria'' have been a godsend for contemporary cinema. Some of those films may have flaws, but the performances from the female leads are just astonishing. We need more of that.Back to Kidman, she received a well deserved Golden Globe nomination for her performance in ''Destroyer'' she's unrecognisable. I've seen a lot of comparisons to Charlize Theron's ''Monster'', but let's not forget Kidman in ''The Hours''. By a nose! As a huge fan of Nicole's, i have to mention in most of my reviews her performance in ''Birth'' it's my personal favourite. Misunderstood at the time. She's incredible in it please keep and open mind and see it!

When LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) receives a package containing a $100 dollar bill stained with purple dye she realises that a ghost from the past bank-robber and killer Silas (Toby Kebbell) was again active.Memories Erin had been trying to forget partly by overindulging in alcohol consumption come flooding back.16 years ago she had been involved in an undercover operation along with colleague Chris (Sebastian Stan) to bring down Silas's gang.Since that time haunted by memories, she'd tried to forget Erin has not paid enough attention to her teenage daughter Shelby (Jade Pettyjohn) who was now seemingly out of control.Now, at great personal risk, she single-handedly sets out to track down Silas by visiting old gang members to try and locate his whereabouts.To explain her present state of mind and her reasons for her lone quest the film alongside present time tells of her time undercover all those years ago.Erin's search will not be without it's consequences and cost to the Detective, however the need for closureis of paramount importance to her.A gritty no-nonsense and absorbing crime-drama that will hold your attention throughout in my opinion.The film harbouring an outstanding performance from Nicole Kidman (this one of her best I feel).

So, the main problem with this film, aside from the paper thin plot, is the absolute weirdness of main actor Nicole Kidman. Aside from being skeletally thin - which she may have done for character reasons of course - she cannot move her face, at all, due to cosmetic procedures. Not even slightly. This of course is her choice as a person, but as an actor it's a disaster. Whilst trying to act the part of a desperate, traumatised detective with a wrecked family going after her arch nemesis, the villain who ruined her life, Kidman goes for anti-glam but ends up looking and behaving like a stroke victim on Valium. Its bizarre to watch, as are the flashbacks to her younger, hippified self who whilst smoother looking and with longer hair, also cannot move a muscle in her face. This gives the whole film a surreal, emotionless quality that together with the dragging editing, means this is a definite Avoid Unless Desperate.

Can't believe the hate for this film. Only thing I can guess is that people went in expecting Kidman to look super hot, and for it to be like Heat. It's not a heist movie, it's a character driven movie, and the design, wardrobe and all the little details, including her broken dirty appearance are all deliberate choices. A great movie that benefits from its pacing, and occasional dream like quality, and Kidman is outstanding, one of her best performances ever.The action sequences, and those moments where Bell becomes unhinged are all the more intense from the depth of character delivered in the acting. Go in with your eyes and mind open, and you will enjoy the film.