Nicole Kidman’s Powerful Performance as Adoptive Mother in Lion Earns Oscar Nomination

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In the 2016 Australian biographical drama film Lion, Nicole Kidman portrayed Sue Brierley, the adoptive mother of Saroo Brierley, an Indian boy who was separated from his birth family at the age of five.

The movie is an adaptation of the non-fiction book “A Long Way Home” by Indian-Australian businessman Saroo Brierley, which can be found on Amazon.

Sunny Pawar made his film debut in Lion, in which he didn't speak English at the start of filming, bonding with Nicole Kidman, who played his on-screen mother, through playing cricket, and these bonding scenes were incorporated into the filmSunny Pawar made his film debut in Lion, in which he didn’t speak English at the start of filming, bonding with Nicole Kidman, who played his on-screen mother, through playing cricket, and these bonding scenes were incorporated into the film (Credit: Transmission Films)

Kidman felt connected to the role as she is herself the mother of adopted children. Her performance was widely praised, and she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, her fourth nomination overall, and her eleventh Golden Globe Award nomination.

Nicole Kidman has two adopted children, Isabella and Connor, with her ex-husband, Tom Cruise. She also has two biological children, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, with her current husband, Keith Urban.

The real-life Sue Brierley handpicked Nicole Kidman to play her part in the film adaptation of Lion. Brierley suggested Kidman from the very first time the film adaptation was suggested to her, and the two women met at Kidman’s Sydney apartment to discuss the role.

Dev Patel as Saroo Brierley and Nicole Kidman as Sue Brierley in the 2016 Australian biographical drama film LionDev Patel as Saroo Brierley and Nicole Kidman as Sue Brierley in the 2016 Australian biographical drama film Lion (Credit: Transmission Films)

They forged a close bond during their conversation after discovering that they were both profoundly maternal and loved their adopted and biological children in equal measure.

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Kidman “gives a powerful and moving performance as Saroo’s adoptive mother, who loves her son with every molecule of her being but comes to understand his quest. It’s as good as anything she’s done in the last decade.”

Lion, which was made on a budget of $12 million, grossed over $140 million worldwide.

In the 2016 Australian biographical drama film "Lion," Dev Patel portrayed the character of Saroo Brierley, and Nicole Kidman played the role of Sue BrierleyIn the 2016 Australian biographical drama film “Lion,” Dev Patel portrayed the character of Saroo Brierley, and Nicole Kidman played the role of Sue Brierley (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

Nicole Kidman showed off her impressive legs at the screening of her new movie ‘Lion’ held during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square in London, England. She was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Dev Patel.

Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman at the screening of her new movie 'Lion' held during the 2016 BFI London Film FestivalDev Patel and Nicole Kidman at the screening of her new movie ‘Lion’ held during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square in London on October 12, 2016 (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

The Australian-American-British drama film follows a boy lost from his family in Calcutta at five and adopted by an Australian family. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

Nicole Kidman wears delicate diamond drop earrings sourced from BerganzaNicole Kidman wears delicate diamond drop earrings sourced from Berganza (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

The then-49-year-old actress donned a bespoke gown from the Armani Privé Fall 2016 Collection.

Nicole Kidman elegantly adorned herself in a custom gown hailing from the Armani Privé Fall 2016 CollectionNicole Kidman elegantly adorned herself in a custom gown hailing from the Armani Privé Fall 2016 Collection (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

Her black long-sleeve velvet dress featured a high-slit and rope tie detailing.

Nicole Kidman in a sultry Armani Privé Fall 2016 Black Velvet Gown adorned with exquisite knot tie details at the screening of her new movie 'Lion' held during the 2016 BFI London Film FestivalNicole Kidman in a sultry Armani Privé Fall 2016 Black Velvet Gown adorned with exquisite knot tie details at the screening of her new movie ‘Lion’ held during the 2016 BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square in London on October 12, 2016 (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

She styled the floor-length gown with gorgeous shoes from the same Italian fashion house and small diamond drop earrings from Berganza.

Nicole Kidman shows off her feet in pointed d'Orsay pumps embellished with ankle tiesNicole Kidman shows off her feet in pointed d’Orsay pumps embellished with ankle ties (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

Nicole Kidman wearing shoes from the Armani Privé Fall 2016 CollectionNicole Kidman wearing shoes from the Armani Privé Fall 2016 Collection (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis)

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