Melbourne, Nov 21 : A British newspaper columnist has criticised Baz Luhrmann''s decision to choose Nicole Kidman to play the lead in his new flick ‘Australia’.

Melanie Reid, who writes for the Times newspaper, has said that Luhrmann made a "big, big mistake" to cast Kidman for the role of Lady Sarah Ashley.

In the epic movie, Kidman plays the role of an Aussie woman who inherits a remote cattle station shortly before World War II.

Reid says Kidman was an immediate turn-off for female cinemagoers for whom she is "one of the most overrated actors" in the world and who has "been the kiss of death in practically every movie she has starred in".

The critic also talked negatively about Kidman''s acting ability based on her previous starring roles in films including ‘Cold Mountain’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’.

"Kidman is exquisitely accomplished at being awful. She can''t act," News. com. au quoted Reid as writing in the column.

Reid added: "Instead she drifts around films like a lost porcelain doll, looking frozen, brittle and vapid, staring at the camera with her oh-golly-look-how-I''m-looking-interesting blue eyes.

"Australia the country deserves redder blood than this."

Australia is due to hit UK screens on Boxing Day. (ANI)