Birthday Girl is a 2001 film directed by Jez Butterworth and starring Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin. The movie follows John Buckingham (Chaplin), a lonely and shy bank clerk living in London. After becoming frustrated with his lack of romantic prospects, John decides to order a mail-order bride from Russia. He communicates with the agency and selects a woman named Nadia (Kidman).
When Nadia arrives in London, John is surprised to find out that she speaks very little English and is not quite what he expected. As they struggle to communicate with each other, John begins to have doubts about his decision to order a mail-order bride. However, as Nadia begins to learn English and succeeds in catching John's attention in unexpected ways, their relationship becomes more complex.
Soon, John discovers that Nadia may not be who she seems. She seems to have a dangerous past, and this information triggers events that force John to confront his own secrets. The film takes several unexpected turns as John is pulled into a web of danger, mystery, and romance.
Birthday Girl is a dark and comedic thriller that explores themes of loneliness, longing, and the dangers of blind desire. Kidman's performance as Nadia is a standout, and her chemistry with Chaplin makes for a captivating on-screen relationship. The film's intriguing plot twists and turns keep the audience guessing until the very end.