Her Gone Life

Opening in theaters January 16, 2015 (tomorrow!) is the movie Paddington starring one of the most adorable bears I've seen in a long time. Last week I had the chance to screen the movie and was really impressed by it. Without giving to much away, Paddington is a movie full of heart, humor and surprisingly adventure.

Note: I was invited as media to the screening and interview courtesy of The Weinstein Company. No other compensation was received. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

While the star of the movie is clearly Paddington Bear and his seemly endless jars of marmalade, the supporting cast of human also give heart tugging performances. At the center of these performances are two amazing woman who have a very strong influence on how Paddington finds a home or not.

I was beyond excited to interview Nicole Kidman and Sally Hawkins about their roles in the movie. The first half of the interview was with Nicole and while I tried to ask her what it was like working with Paddington, I HAD to ask about her wardrobe in the movie. Nicole played Millicent Clyde, who was a seriously well dressed villainess! The tailored suits! The shoes! I had to know!

Onica (MommyFactor}: Like everyone else, we saw the movie and we really enjoyed it, but when I saw scenes with you, you were very fashionable. I think you were the most fashionable and active villain I've seen in a very long time. So, I wanted to ask you -- which was the most fun, fashionable scene for you to film?

Nicole Kidman: I mean, to be honest, I'm not that comfortable in really high shoes. So, the minute I saw that the costume designer was like, "Okay, you're going to be wearing these heels," I was like, "Oh, no." Walking down stairs, climbing on the top of the rooftop in those heels, I was terrified.

But, I realized that it was kind of cool, the look that she had. She [Lindy Hemming] designs all the Bond films----So you can tell that it's got that kind of slant to it. A lot of the costumes and stuff have that very sexy kind of thing.

But, I loved the white coat at the very beginning with the heels and the blond wig and all of that stuff. I was just like, "Oh, my gosh, here we go." And they had that all sorted out even before I got there. I didn't have any input. I just had to squeeze into the costumes.

Besides talking fashion Nicole also shared how she was prepared for her villain role, thanks to director Paul King, who had the idea to make the Millicent character wickedly funny and not too serious. So there's lots of tongue in cheek humor. So while kids might be a little bit scared in one scene, in the next they can also laugh a lot, which Nicole thought was a perfect combination.

About the appeal of the movie, Nicole thinks that's what makes Paddington works as something the family including grandparents, parents, and kids can enjoy together. There's not many films these days that you can say that about.

Talking with Nicole Kidman was a real pleasure, she was sweet and down to earth. Ironically while nothing like her character Millicent, very much like that character Mary Brown played Sally Hawkins who was next to be interviewed.


In the movie Sally character Mary is the heart of the family the one who connects with Paddington first at the train station. From there she's always been the support system between Paddington and her family.

Sally shared that she fell in love with the story and Paddington.

Sally Hawkins: He's someone we can all relate to. We've all felt like that. Even on a daily basis, you feel like you're sort of unknowing and trying to work out how the world works and really desperately in need of the kindness of a stranger. And I think that's something we all relate to.

He's not a child, but I thought of him as a lost child, like an evacuee or a refugee, somebody's who's abandoned and--well, not abandoned, just sort of finding themselves in a strange new world and discovering how that world works. And it could have gone either way for him.

And reading that scene in the script, it made me quite emotional, thinking of children I know in life and how you would feel as a mother in that situation.

Sally also shared what she hoped families going to see the movie will take away

Sally Hawkins: It means a lot to me that families go together to experience a film that really inspires them or makes them laugh or moves them. I think it's about creating an experience.

Because the cinema is a powerful medium and can inspire you.

And it should, if it's done well. It can sort of change your life, in a way, it's sort of like the best stories can, the best piece of writing. I think it's really important that families enjoy films together. I think all families can relate to the message, I suppose.

I couldn't agree with Sally more. Paddington is certainly a movie families can enjoy and relate to. I hope you and your family make plans to see Paddington tomorrow or over the weekend. And don't forget the marmalade!



About PADDINGTON film

From the beloved novels by Michael Bond and producer David Heyman (HARRY POTTER), PADDINGTON tells the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) who travels to the city in search of a home.


Finding himself lost and alone, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family who read the label around his neck that says "Please look after this bear. Thank you." and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, and Nicole Kidman.

PADDINGTON arrives in theaters January 16, 2015!

Learn more about Paddington movie, visit - www.paddington-movie.com
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