Nicole Kidman is a "hands-on" mother.

Speaking at a US press conference for 'Stoker', he said: "It's funny working with someone who's been very famous for such a long time, and I don't want to sound like I'm sucking up to her, but she's very generous with her time.

"But we had a very nice day out with her where I got to know her as a mum - and some stars pay people to look after their children - but she's super hands-on and generous with her time."

Matthew was impressed with how the 45-year-old redhead - who also has adopted children Isabella, 20, and 17-year-old Connor with her ex-husband Tom Cruise - handled attention from the public and thought it was admirable she politely refused to be photographed with her kids.

Addressing Nicole directly, he added: "One doesn't know how to deal with it. You don't take photographs when you're out and about with your children in public and I love that about you.

"You've got to explain it to them [fans] and it's the nicest way of being let down if you have a longer conversation."

Nicole, 45, insists she always makes room in her day-to-day schedule to spend time with her kids and tries to do as many things as she can with them one-on-one.

She said: "I have many different aged daughters so there are different fun things to do with each other."

'Stoker' also stars Mia Wasikowska and is released on March 1.