'I can still see the ads in my head' - The enduring impact of Scott Rudin's marketing for The Hours

“By a Nose” - The Inside Story of Scott Rudin's Memorable Oscar Campaign for 'The Hours'

It was the nose that nearly stole the show. Scott Rudin's ambitious, if contentious decision to have Nicole Kidman wear a prosthetic nose to portray Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours' left an unforgettable mark on Hollywood's 2002-2003 awards season.

The film's earliest timeline has a deglammed Kidman embodying the acid-tongued Woolf, a choice that led to artistic tension between Scott Rudin and Harvey Weinstein. While Rudin insisted on the prosthetic, Weinstein disagreed. The ultimate decision, as reported by Vanity Fair, had Hollywood on edge, with many anxious over the choice to alter Kidman's beauty.

“Pretty much everyone was nervous about the nose—the idea of sabotaging Nicole’s beauty,” reflects a sentiment that resonated through the film industry at the time.

The 2002-2003 awards season saw three Miramax films, including 'The Hours,' contending for the best picture Oscar. Scott Rudin, however, drove the campaign for 'The Hours' with vigor, flooding the LA and New York Times with double-truck ads.

“I just remember endless double-truck ads in the LA and New York Times, which is very Scott,” says Terry Press, who ran marketing for DreamWorks Pictures at the time. The artwork featuring the three women remains an indelible memory for many, symbolizing a movie about women's inner lives being marketed by two notoriously aggressive men.

All eyes were on the Kodak Theatre on March 23, 2003, as Denzel Washington's cheeky words, “By a nose,” announced Kidman's win for best actress. The moment marked the culmination of a surreal Oscar campaign that blended art, ambition, and controversy.

The legacy of 'The Hours' goes beyond the awards. It's a tale of transformative performances and risky choices, reflecting the intricate dance between artistry and commerce. The behind-the-scenes battle over Kidman's prosthetic nose, the relentless marketing, and the climax of an Oscar win make this campaign a remarkable chapter in cinematic history.

The collaboration of Kidman, Rudin, and Weinstein on 'The Hours' revealed a passion for storytelling that transcended barriers, fears, and personal opinions. It's a story that continues to intrigue, educate, and inspire, proving that in Hollywood, risks can lead to rewards, even if it's “by a nose.”

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)