For more than a decade, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman have basked in the glory of celebrity.

No light shone brighter or more lovingly on any couple. Until Cruise filed for legal separation on Feb. 7, they were Hollywood's perfect couple.

Since that moment a new spotlight has been turned on them and, individually, they have been scrutinized like never before. At 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 8, their marriage officially ended.

Ironically the night before, the Los Angeles premiere of the eerie ghost movie The Others marked the first time since February that Kidman and Cruise appeared in public at the same event.

The Others was a project Cruise and Kidman had begun together. He produced the movie as a showcase for her talents. Their attendance at the premiere was meant to show their support for the movie.

Kidman arrived first. Twenty minutes later and after she was in the theatre, Cruise arrived with his producing partner Paula Wagner.

He was as casual as Kidman was elegant.

Though he entered the theatre to speak with invited guests, Cruise did not stay for the screening. He praised Kidman's performance but left the theatre shortly after the screening began.

Janet MacKenzie of Reflections is a Calgary clinical psychologist who does extensive relationship therapy.

She feels both Kidman and Cruise made very specific statements by their look and demeanour at The Others premiere.

"Nicole was acting as if this event truly mattered. Tom, on the other hand, seemed to be saying the evening was not that important," says MacKenzie. "This is basically the same thing Nicole and Tom have been saying about their separation right from the beginning."

MacKenzie points out that "Nicole has maintained all along she has been devastated by the separation and divorce proceedings. Tom has been almost cavalier and nonchalant by comparison."

To her critics, it seems Kidman is trying to play a sympathy card while Cruise has spoken primarily through his publicists.

MacKenzie applauds Kidman for this approach.

"Once the separation was out there, Nicole could have chosen to hide everything ... Instead she chose to be somewhat open about her feelings and especially about the toll the divorce was taking yet she did so without ever begging for sympathy."

In her interview with Extra, Kidman tried to explain why she had granted so many interviews.

"If by exposing my soul I can help other women who are going through similar situations to realize there is a tomorrow, then all the public scrutiny will not have been in vain. It will have had some real meaning."

"By going public with her feelings, Nicole has given women who are going through a similar situation a reason to feel better about themselves. They can rightfully conclude that if Nicole Kidman can be dumped maybe it's not so bad. Maybe it's not the end of the world," says MacKenzie.

Since the separation notice, Kidman has not dated anyone.

She has sought the comfort and friendship of Russell Crowe, who she knew as a young actress in Australia long before she met Cruise.

He, on the other hand, has announced through his publicists that he and Penelope Cruz are officially dating.

He allowed himself to be photographed kissing Cruz at Spago's restaurant in Beverly Hills and took the Spanish actress to a resort in Fiji.

MacKenzie feels these two very public displays with Cruz were meant to bolster his macho image.

"It appears Tom wants to make it clear he is the one who severed the marriage and that he is still sexually active and still desirable."

MacKenzie feels this might just backfire on Cruise. "Penelope is a beautiful, younger woman. This may gain him points with his male fans but it will likely lose him face with his female fans.

"It says he has rebounded too quickly when Nicole's actions make it obvious she is still hurting."


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