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Movies, particularly of certain types, are famous for presenting very ‘specific views’ on female beauty ( often for straight-male’s views) but its an unusual and different matter to showcase complex dimensions of women’s desire, specially with honest and truthful human complexities as those issues usually take the back-burner instead of central narrative drivers within a plot structure, so when a film comes out challenging exactly that pre-conceived trope of limited perspectives, its very importance has to be highlighted. Halina Reijn’s 'Babygirl' attempts to achieve that precise and unique goal, as this feature is not simply another sexy adult entertainment film: it seeks to push boundaries regarding exploration about female characters’ autonomy, the dynamics over power exchange, but also challenges viewers perceptions on such a complicated relationship structure that includes a CEO and her much younger male intern, to try to reveal some unspoken aspects by showcasing vulnerability with honesty; today, we dissect exactly this complex movie's take and find just what makes it stand out in its unique narrative.
'Babygirl' distinguishes itself immediately by showing a character that does not fit into typical or clichéd concepts when regarding sexual roles; Romy, an high-end CEO, presents an extremely wealthy and high powered successful character that by all external observation and through a more typical approach seems like the kind of person ‘who has it all’ but underneath all of that façade that gets presented as external ‘perfection’ reveals her deep sexual frustration. What this does differently from other such films is that most similar productions are far too reliant on external character details with clear lack of depth. “Babygirl’ never forgets her humanity or the very relatable frustrations that it attempts to highlight. It then carefully shows how Romy is in an existing relationship which she recognizes as something emotionally supportive and kind while at the same time is unable to find an ‘intimate connection’ to be fully satisfied making her seek different forms for expression; even those explorations through on-line porn create more questions ( than solutions). The exploration of the female character inner struggle then comes before those external choices adding both character depth and narrative importance to this specific tale of complex relationship exchanges.
And unlike most similar productions that would focus solely on lust or ‘simple wants’; ‘Babygirl’ focuses directly and deliberately in her need to be out of control as something that becomes essential to find some personal sexual form of expression, those ideas are first subtly introduced as more of curiosity and once it evolves it reveals more complex and often contradicting choices for the main lead. These choices put her directly within positions to be humiliated but at the same time finding sexual power through them instead of her position as a more established social class; All actions appear well defined and do not feel like basic adult film scenarios ( like most could fear or expect). Romy seeks a partner in equal and yet completely different balance from what society would place on an individual and that choice leads all viewers into a unique take over power exchanges during very non conventional (but not for that unusual ) intimate character dynamic, not often explored so openly.
A major driving element of ‘Babygirl' rests specifically on examining ‘where true power is derived from’ which isn't simply within an accepted framework where someone holds a 'higher professional role'. The interaction between Romy and Samuel highlights how this idea becomes quickly irrelevant. Even before they’ve formally interacted Romy notices how Samuel seems to easily control a dog on his walk with no effort which makes her quite intrigued. As this connection starts building up all aspects are then shifted and as their bond increases, there are no clear ‘lines of control’; and it isn't simply 'high vs low positions’ which are easily reversed by their interactions, those intimate encounters tend to challenge what a 'power role' truly represents, as we view them; and what all means inside a more non traditional dynamic as some people can willingly give up or want specific control dynamics that other would see as less empowering or humiliating for self while often times find great liberation from those particular settings.
What becomes very apparent from these power based exchanges its never as basic as it is commonly understood or displayed; during those shared intimate sequences Romy willingly places herself in positions of submission but not from the standard submissive angle; the clear understanding with their explicit role play creates a context where both are playing within rules they decided ( almost a game where their own values over each part in these interactions carry great importance) so their desires become both consensual and cathartic at all times with their personal explorations leading their actions rather than imposed concepts. And from a movie making concept, the decision for the film to highlight her satisfaction through what many might consider an uncomfortable experience is another element for challenging established perceptions and not a simple form for easy exploitation.
What makes ‘Babygirl’ an interesting take that transcends the simple categorization of ‘erotic drama’ ( even though it could often seem that on paper) is Nicole Kidman’s performance: Her ability to fully explore and delve into complicated themes is beyond any mere descriptions . Her ability to clearly translate Romy's internal struggles between the needs and accepted moral or social obligations makes her transformation from ‘someone looking’ into ‘someone in control’ of her inner desires into one single coherent experience; Romy’s evolution throughout those events is both uncomfortable, real, complex, challenging, at every single level without once ever feeling shallow or trivial and those very unique acting decisions push everything to its higher potential as this choice elevates a very average concept for a ‘simple adult movie’ into a deeper and very well layered psychological human study, where desire is often the end result, not solely the initial starting point . It also explores consent through ethical choices and not via a legal checklist.
There’s an intense honesty through all sequences; that is further improved by all Kidman’s creative choices that do convey her internal chaos to any attentive observer with no over-the-top moments of high tension or emotional display ( that commonly plague so many other productions). Her expressions in subtle moments during intense shared intimacy; her ability to portray shame followed by great freedom, her acceptance towards new elements and how it challenges pre-existing limits showcases a master class level that requires focus from any given audience member willing to pay attention to her as those emotions can carry further than just visual aspects; there's so much shown simply without any direct dialogue support, its mostly via physical reactions; and it’s there, and only there that any long lasting viewers of films such as this one can extract even more. That unique type of performance with this character isn’t something seen all too often especially on mainstream high production budget films that adds both artistic merit and narrative value through careful casting choices. Its never a cheap way out; this was chosen carefully.
‘Babygirl’ seeks to achieve something quite unusual: to openly, without hiding its themes within euphemisms or subtle storytelling tricks. This type of film opens a new narrative space that directly aims at the complex layers behind female characters’ choices regarding pleasure. It presents vulnerability not through victimhood but strength through self awareness as even very well established social roles cannot fulfill internal desires.
'Babygirl's value and appeal does not depend exclusively over graphic shared intimacy acts. These, while necessary to portray some important thematic details, serve as visual metaphors that highlight greater need to connect on an emotional, very personal and spiritual dimension; where pleasure takes multiple angles. It does challenge audiences, but forces to reflect on very core assumptions and it may also lead a path where many more similarly challenging themes might get explored in future by other creative teams because those ideas are very much needed for every person from every diverse origin to come together under common shared feelings and experiences.