At a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday afternoon for “Grace of Monaco,” the festival’s opening night film, Nicole Kidman addressed objections about her portrayal of Grace Kelly.
Earlier this month, the royal family of Monaco issued a statement that read, “The trailer appears to be a farce and confirms the totally fictional nature of this film.”
“I mean, obviously, I feel sad, because I think the film has no malice toward the family, particularly toward Grace or [Prince] Rainier,” Kidman said. “It’s a fictionalization. You take dramatic license.”
Kidman added that she understood Kelly’s children feeling protective of their mother. “I still have respect, and I want them to know the performance was done with love,” Kidman said, noting if they ever decided to view the film, “they would see affection for both their parents.”
Kidman said that she felt “many similarities” to Princess Grace. “I obviously didn’t marry a prince.” Then she deadpanned: “Well, I am married to a prince. A country prince,” she said, referring to her husband Keith Urban.
Kidman said to prepare for the role, she watched many of Kelly’s films and studied other footage of the actress turned princess.
“My favorite performance of Grace is ‘Rear Window,'” Kidman said. “That’s my favorite Hitchcock film.”
When a reporter asked the actress if she would choose love over her career like Kelly did, Kidman said she would. “I think love is the core emotion,” Kidman said. “I always said when I won the Oscar I went home and didn’t have that, that was the most intensely lonely moment of my life.”
At the press conference, director Olivier Dahan also confirmed a Variety exclusive that the Weinstein Co. is about to close a deal for U.S. distribution of “Grace of Monaco.” Dahan said that his version of the film would open in the United States, and if any changes are made, he and Weinstein would work on them together. “There are no disputes,” the director said.
