Q How painful was it for you to do this character?

A It made me weep. It was painful but in a good way. I choose things that hurt me because I want to understand all facets of the human condition.

Q Congratulations on your Oscar nomination – how are you feeling?

A It reflects the heart and soul that everyone put into the film.

Q When you won the Oscar for The Hours in 2002, did you enjoy the night?

A I wish I had brought my son. I wished I had thanked my dad. I forgot to thank my acting coach and took out ads the next day.

Q This year’s best actress nominations are strong with Natalie Portman, Annette Bening, Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence. Will you win?

A No, but I’m glad the film has the buzz around it.

Q You have two girls with hubby Keith Urban and two older children with Tom Cruise – do you imagine something happening to one of them to reach the film’s sadness?

A I can’t talk, even about those things, but how I access those things is just, I access them.

- dailyrecord.co.uk