Unconventional Romance Unfolds: Love Story of 'Babygirl'
In the provocative and playful depiction of Halina Reijn's film Babygirl, we find ourselves delving into the tender, funny, and unexpectedly romantic side of repression. This intriguing journey commenced when Halina heard a story about a woman who, despite a 25-year marriage, had never experienced an orgasm with her husband. Sparking a mix of awe and unsurprised recognition, Halina set out to create a film about a woman striving for release.
Set in the polished world of New York City, we meet Romy, a successful CEO, mother, and wife played brilliantly by Nicole Kidman. With her life carefully planned and her awareness of her position in the male-dominated corporate world keen, Romy's long-term marriage has never offered her the pleasure she seeks with her husband, Jacob, portrayed by Antonio Banderas.
Enter Samuel, an audacious and intriguing intern, played by Harris Dickinson, who instantly seems to pierce Romy's carefully constructed facade. A shared understanding develops between them, as Samuel sees a desire for escape within Romy and begins to unveil the hidden layers beneath her structured exterior.
This sets the stage for an unconventional love affair between the powerful female CEO and her young intern, a cat-and-mouse game that, at first glance, resembles the erotic thrillers of the '90s. However, Halina brings a fresh perspective to this genre, tackling the contradiction of female sexuality in society and the lack of female agency - a topic close to her heart.
"Those movies, when I saw them, they were like, 'Oh, actually, it's not so crazy, all these things that are going on in my head!'" Halina expresses. The genre has traditionally been dominated by male directors, with influential films such as Adrian Lyne's 91⁄2 Weeks, Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct, and Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher serving as foundation for this new film.
Determined to make a film just as sexual as those that have inspired her, but this time through female eyes, Babygirl presents a thrilling and human portrayal of sexual mores, navigating our modern world where everything is allowed, yet American puritanical moral impulses still linger. In the end, the heart of the forbidden fruit is a tender, seductive act of self-acceptance.
Halina wondered about self-love and the inner conflict: "Are we animals or are we civilized? Can we make peace with the animal inside of us? Is it possible for the different parts of ourselves to co-exist and, in turn, for us to love our whole selves without shame?"
For Kidman, this project represented a unique, feverish experience. "I've made many sexual films, but this is different," she admits. The shared understanding between actress and director allowed for a level of openness not often experienced during filming. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself - we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before."
Kidman nails the complex, relatable portrayal of Romy, a woman conflicted by her professional success and her seething desire to let go. In many ways, this role brings her back to her characters in Eyes Wide Shut and Birth.
The film does not shy away from tackling complex discourses on sexuality, gender, and desire. As Romy and Samuel explore their mutual attraction, they push against boundaries, challenging societal norms and our culture's ongoing struggle with power and sex.
In Babygirl, we find a film that is not only a tantalizing, entertaining exploration of desire, but also a thoughtful commentary on society's expectations of women and the complexities of the human psyche.
- In the film 'Babygirl', entertainment and intrigue intertwine as the portrayal of sexual mores unfolds, delving deep into the realms of relationships and the exploration of women's agency.
- As Halina Reijn's film 'Babygirl' graces the screens, it illuminates the complexities of lifestyle, gender, and desire, with a particular focus on the inner conflicts and self-love experienced within relationships.
