Click to read the article
Birthday Girl (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted: 118
Fresh: 68
Rotten:50
Average Rating: 5.7/10
Consensus: Kidman shows her range in this quirky movie, but the shift in tone from romantic comedy to thriller may leave viewers unsatisfied.
Theatrical Release:Feb 1, 2002 Limited
Box Office: $4,919,896
Synopsis: At a London airport, shy bank clerk John (Ben Chaplin) watches passengers arriving from an international flight. He's waiting for his mail order bride to arrive from Russia. When she finally... At a London airport, shy bank clerk John (Ben Chaplin) watches passengers arriving from an international flight. He's waiting for his mail order bride to arrive from Russia. When she finally appears, she's not exactly what John had in mind--tall, thin, and gangly, with scruffy hair and rings around her eyes, Nadia (Nicole Kidman) seems worn, apprehensive, and tired. As he drives her home, John discovers she can't speak a word of English, but she does smoke prodigiously. He makes repeated calls to the agency that arranged the marriage, leaving messages that a mistake has been made. But although Nadia doesn't know any English, John soon discovers that she knows all about sex. He changes his mind about sending her back. The opening of director Jez Butterworth's BIRTHDAY GIRL is amusing and raunchy. But the film takes off in another direction when, on Nadia's birthday, two boisterous Russians (exuberantly played by French actors Vincent Cassel and Matthieu Kassovitz) arrive and take over John's home. The clever, twisting narrative that follows is, by turns, surprising, funny, and suspenseful. Chaplin's thoughtful performance counterbalances Kidman's troubled volatile heroine, who is not who she seems to be. [More]
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ben Chaplin, Vincent Cassel, Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ben Chaplin, Vincent Cassel, Mathieu Kassovitz
Director: Jez Butterworth
Director: Jez Butterworth
Screenwriter: Tom Butterworth, Jez Butterworth
Producer: Steve Butterworth, Diana Phillips
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Studio: Miramax Films
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Aug 13, 2002
Reviews for Birthday Girl
Although "Birthday Girl" is labeled a romantic comedy, it's not wildly funny or romantic.
O filme tenta ser comédia romântica, suspense erótico, thriller e assim por diante. A única que se salva é Kidman, belíssima como sempre e com um sotaque russo sedutor.
Butterworth has an effective directorial shorthand and the film is full of small, unobtrusive touches that smartly enhance the scenes. Kidman, of course, is magnetic; her absorbing performance makes this Birthday party one worth attending.
Nicole Kidman chain smokes, speaks Russian, and shows her [rear end] - sign me up!
It still manages to slide by, but barely, and only on the strength of its two leads.
Latest News for Birthday Girl
September 27, 2005:
Nicole Kidman's a "Headhunter"
Variety reports on the newest project found on Ms. Nicole Kidman's schedule. It's called "Headhunters" and it's based on Jules Bass' well-admired graphic novel of the... More...
July 27, 2005:
Spielberg Settles On "Munich"
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures jointly announced today that the upcoming film being directed by three-time Academy Award-winning director-producer Steven Spielberg... More...
June 24, 2005:
Kassovitz Heads Out to "Babylon A.D."
Actor/writer/director Mathieu Kassovitz ("Hate," "Gothika," "The Crimson Rivers") will write and direct a movie based on the Maurice Dentac novel... More...
Related Forums for Birthday Girl
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
79% 79% |
Gran Torino |
28% 28% |
12 Rounds |
23% 23% |
Confessions of a Shopa… |
|
The Code |
39% 39% |
Inkheart |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
22% 22% |
Push |
12% 12% |
The Unborn |
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Birthday Girl at Rotten Tomatoes
- Birthday Girl at IGN
- Birthday Girl at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.



Top Critic

