BABYGIRL

US, 2024, 114 minutes, Colour.

Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde, Esther McGregor.

Directed by Halina Reijn.

Very much a women’s film, in terms of focus, issues, relationships with men. It was written and directed by Dutch actress, Halina Reijn, who also directed the American film, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. And, bodies play a significant role in this film. And its star, Nicole Kidman, won the Best Actress award the 2024 Venice Film Festival.

The film is better reviewed from the female perspective, with some empathy, understanding as well as critique. And, of course, it offers a challenge to the male reviewer.

It opens quite graphically, the focus on business executive, self-made business leader, Romy, Nicole Kidman, her sexual relationship with her husband, Jacob, a theatre director, Antonio Banderas. Vigorous but not fulfilling, and Romys need for turning to pornography for some kind of gratification or fulfilment. At work she is most competent. But, some in insecurities.

The catalyst for surfacing the uncertainties and possibilities for change/or not, is a young man, Samuel, Harris Dickinson, seen on the sidewalk controlling an aggressive dog. And he turns out to be one of the aspiring interns at the company, very forward, claiming Romy as a mentor despite her objections.

It would be interesting to hear some psychologists interpretation of each of their characters and the interactions and sexual behaviour. With the lay reviewer, they don’t seem quite credible, especially Samuel’s character and the motivations for his behaviour, where he came from, what his intentions are, what he gets out of the relationship.

In fact, the film parallels those dramas with the dominatrix and the subservient male client. Samuel becomes the dominator, not in the expected violent way but paralleling the behaviour of the female dominatrix. And the audience continually asking about Romy’s behaviour, self-consciousness, memories of her past and inadequacy, issues of power, issues of gratification and fulfilment.

There are some family scenes, Romy and Jacob having two daughters, but the focus is on that sexual interaction domination and submission between Romy and Samuel.

1. The title, the tone? Identity, sexuality, relationships, power?
2. The New York setting, the world of business and enterprise, management, interns, interactions? Home life? The world of affairs, hotels? The musical score, pounding at times?
3. The impact of the opening, Romy and Jacob and their relationship, sexuality, her going to the computer for pornography, her later taunts of Jacob, contrast with her experiences with Samuel? The focus of the film on personality, sexuality, sense of inferiority, ambition and achievement, exercise of power? Domination – by the male but echoing the dominatrix? Intimacy, secrecy, fulfilment?
4. Romy’s story, her background, sense of inferiority, studies, skills, achievement, the company, relationship with the staff? With Esme? With the interns? Seeing her in business meetings, her reports, communication video…?
5. Jacob, the marriage, their children, home life, intimacy? His work in the theatre, the rehearsals, Romy’s visit? The performance, the achievement, the celebration, Romy leaving?
6. The introduction of Samuel, the incident with the dog on the street, his control, coming to the office with the interns, his approach to her, her asking about the dog? His choosing her as mentor, but not being on the program, her resistance, the first meeting, the seven minutes, the interview, the discussions? The credibility of Samuel’s character, his background, much unexplained, his approach to Romy, sexual, dominating?
7. The development of the relationship between the two his demands, his analysis of her sense of inferiority, his commands, her reactions, leaving, returning, the kisses, the propriety, the danger of public knowledge, losing her position in reputation? The party, watching him dancing, his tie, taking it?
8. The sequences of their being together, his commands, her humiliation, resistance, acquiescence, the milk in the saucer, on all fours…? The sexual impact for her? The significance for Samuel?
9. His turning up at her house, her reactions, the children’s party, with Esme? His relationship with Esme, different? Her role in the company, ambitions, taking Romy’s role as her model, at the house, with Samuel, her later confrontation with Romy, saying she knew everything?
10. The interactions with Jacob, the tensions, the taunt, later apology, his suspicions, his outbursts, his demands, ousting her, her meeting with Samuel, his discovering them, the fight, some resolution?
11. The influence her daughters, Isabel, age, friends, relationships, sexuality? Her behaviour with her parents, the socials, the party? Concerned about her mother?
12. The ousting of Samuel, his going to Japan? The discussion with the boss, the standing up to him, ousting him? The reconciliation with Jacob and the family?
13. The credibility of Romy’s personal and sexual journey?