She’s playing Lucille Ball in a new film – and it seems Nicole Kidman really does love Lucy.
The US actress and comic was one of the biggest names of the 1950s, starring with husband Desi Arnaz, in her own sitcom which followed the pair’s wacky adventures.
But behind the scenes of their seemingly-perfect marriage in I Love Lucy, there was cheating and violent rows.
Now new film Being The Ricardos tells of a crunch week in 1952 in which Lucille and Desi (played by Javier Bardem) face personal and professional crises which threaten their show, careers and marriage.
Flame-haired Lucille filed for divorce in 1960 after years of ups and downs with the heavy-drinking and unfaithful Cuban bandleader.
But Nicole reckons love is still at the heart of their relationship and this film.
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
She says: “It’s a love story where people don’t have to stay together forever to actually have a successful relationship.
“And I think Desi and Lucy, they didn’t make it to the very end of their lives together but, boy, they made something beautiful together.
“They made two beautiful children, they made this show, they created a legacy and they trailblazed for
others to follow. And that’s a successful relationship.”
The couple’s daughter Lucie Arnaz was brought in to advise on the film and shared deeply personal recordings with Nicole.
(Image: Amazon Prime Video/Youtube)
Lucie, 70, has described the result as “freaking amazing” and praised Nicole, saying she “became my mother’s soul”.
Nicole says: “She gave me secret recordings; recordings that the world hasn’t heard, of her talking to them. Really special things.
“And also, just information that I hold close that I would never share because it’s too personal.
“Having her support and blessing for me to do it was really important to me. I wanted to build my relationship with her because I’m playing her mama.
“I have daughters and I would want them to bless a film if there was ever a film of me. So I needed her.”
Nicole, 54, spent months transforming into the star.
(Image: Getty Images)
She explains: “It was a lot of watching her, absorbing her, talking to her daughter, watching documentaries, interviews. And then throwing that all away and going, ‘Just go for it.’
“I love saying, ‘She’s the smartest person in the room and she doesn’t apologise for that’. And the hardest worker too.
“For me, it’s just a really compelling story. I hope people want to see it because these people are really fascinating.”
“She also got to perform the classic I Love Lucy grape-stomping scene where Lucille pulls hilarious faces as she crushes grapes barefoot.
“I did it over and over,” says Nicole. “And I loved doing it! I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s really fun.”
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
Nicole landed her first film role in 1983 and has starred in hits such as Days Of Thunder alongside ex-husband Tom Cruise, and Moulin Rouge and Paddington.
But recently the Australian has become equally well known for her TV work in Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Her turn in Being The Ricardos is already getting Oscar buzz and Nicole admits she loves acting as much as ever.
“I’m still so into what I do and I love what I do,” she says.
“You’re hoping for the best but a lot of it is up to the film gods now, right?”
So what’s the secret to her own 15-year marriage to musician Keith Urban?
“Just love,” says Nicole. “I just really like him and I love him – I got both.”
Being The Ricardos is in cinemas now and on Amazon Prime from Tuesday.
For more of the latest showbiz news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
