If you’d like to know how to ruin other people’s lives without resorting to physical violence, be sure to watch Margot at the Wedding. With her riveting portrayal of a woman whose sole mission in life involves wounding family and friends by criticizing practically everything they do or say, Nicole Kidman gives a master class on the subject.  

Although the film’s theme holds great potential for a character-driven drama, Margot at the Wedding falters considerably in its presentation. Much of the dialogue is mumbled rather than articulated; relationships among various individuals are annoyingly fuzzy; and the plot falls apart like under-baked cornbread.       

Still, Kidman remains extremely watchable here. Her words may be difficult to understand in many scenes, but she delivers them with an icy sting that makes you thankful the character she’s playing is not your sister or your mother or your friend. Kidman is Margot, a writer  who decides to attend the wedding of her estranged sibling (Jennifer Jason Leigh), even though she’s certain the groom (Jack White) is not good enough to be a member of their family. While staying with her sister during the days preceding the nuptials, Margot constantly butts into everyone’s business with her opinions and critiques. As a result, the household slides into chaos.

Sadly, even Margot’s young son (Zain Pais) suffers terribly from his mother’s behavior. Soon after Margot praises him, she utters something critical about the same thing. The boy idolizes his mom, so this hurts him to the quick. No wonder he lets out a chilling scream when no one can hear him. Does Margot love her son, or is she incapable of such a deep emotion? I’m still not sure.

Along with Kidman, performance honors in this Noah Baumbach follow-up to The Squid and the Whale go to Black (Nacho Libre). Playing a guy who gets more and more confused as the film progresses, he manages to evoke our sympathy despite his uncouth actions. Because Black can be so hysterically funny, I’m always surprised at how good he is in dramatic roles also.

It’s not easy to watch Margot at the Wedding, nor can I recommend it to anyone except Kidman and Black fans. However, all kinds of family problems certainly deserve exploration on film, and with Squid and the Whale, Baumbach proved he can do this very well. Here’s hoping his next movie gets him back on track.

(Released by Paramount Vantage and rated “R” for sexual content and language.)