After watching this for a second time I can confirm that, for me, this movie is practically perfect. *spoilers* On a second viewing I was thinking how the submission role Romy has with Samuel was about vulnerability. It could be like I say in the video how having someone tell her what to do is a change from being the one in charge. But this time I around, yeah, I think it was really about her learning to be vulnerable. Not only in the sexual dynamics they have with what he has her do, but also because to O with someone is a vulnerable thing. We also see at work how someone is coaching her on what to say for some presentation and she sees weakness as a negative but she is told that to show weakness is actually a good thing. And this is something she learns is true as the movie goes along. Also how she and Samuel’s relationship is all about the “giving and taking of power”, as Samuel says when they are talking about consent. There are times when Samuel has the power, but then other times when he is the vulnerable one. And then that interaction with Jacob where he says to Samuel that that fantasy isn’t real to which Samuel tells him that Jacobs views on sex are outdated. This also circles back to the commentary the movie is making on the generational differences with Jacob and Romy vs Samuel, Esme, and her daughter., I was noticing even more how throughout the movie Jacob is wanting to be seen and to feel important and relevant to Romy, both personally as well as professionally (“Am I relevant to you as a director?” he asks when he is talking to her about his play.) In the end, not only is Romy getting what she wants, but Jacob is also being seen. But still my favorite thing about this movie is its message of self-love and self-acceptance. When Romy is confessing to Jacob, she says she doesn’t want to be this type of person that she is and wants to be the kind of person Jacob loves. Which is heartbreaking because she feels that if she were her true self, he wouldn’t love her. She says multiple times that she just wants to be normal and wants to be the loving, strong, capable mother, wife, and CEO that she imagines herself to be and wants to shut out this other side of her. But by the end she learns to love herself and forgive herself, and that self acceptance is what gives her a new confidence in every aspect of life. I really like the dynamics between both Romy and Jacob, and Romy and Samuel. As Samuel tells her of Esme-he likes them each for different reasons and he is a different type of person with each. Romy was a different person with Samuel than she was with Jacob, but by the end, those two sides of her have become one. And the automation I think reflects how Romy’s world was on “auto pilot”, everything was automated as in it was a routine and a schedule she was in. Until Samuel comes along and interferes. He even says, he compares himself to a cuckoo bird who takes over someone else’s nest and wreaks havoc. Romy also has a work presentation where she says in this world of artificial intelligence, we need more emotional intelligence. By the end of the movie, I think Romy has gained more emotional intelligence and has stopped allowing her life to be “automated” and instead is being herself. Also along with specifically shouting out the incredible Father Figure scene, I wanted to say how much I loved the song Crush during the rave scene!
I'm so glad I have finally seen a review of this film that addresses those very unladylike O's! It's hard to overstate how radical those moments are in a mainstream movie starring an A-list actress. I saw it on Xmas with a girlfriend and her husband, and we were both like, "Yeah, if it's real, it's usually not pretty."
I saw it on Christmas Day with four friends, and no one liked it except me! Thanks for your video, at least there's someone else out there who appreciated the music, chemistry, trajectory of the narrative - besides the symbolism and direction! Just wish the marketing had been more accurate.
I am glad you reviewed this as I also loved it. Marketing was terrible for this but not shocking cause 2024 was the year for horrible mismarketed trailers. I was also surprised to only see men reviewing it on youtube so I will check out your recommendation. Thanks!
I watched it yesterday and these where things that I did not like, but I really also did like the fact that it was clear that she felt really guilty abut the affair and really tried to restore the relationship with her man (to her capacity). So much more realistic and female friendly then other movies. Many critics online say that the movie justifies cheating as a woman, but to me the movie did not do this at all! As a Dutch women I am proud of 'our' Haline Reijn!
Thanks for commenting! And yeah, she clearly loved Jacob and wanted to keep her family and I loved how we see them deal with this. To say it is a movie that condones cheating is selling it short. This is the first Reijn movie I've seen but now I want to watch the rest of her movies!
@@WhytheBookWins Yes, totaly agree! I did not really like bodies, bodies, bodies that much but I think her first Dutch movie (distributed by A24) instinct is probably really good. And she was really great as an actres in Blackbook, a Dutch movie about the second world war, it has been distributed in the US also I think.
Great movie and great review, you’re always engaging to listen to. The scene where Nicole Kidman gets naked and the way she covered herself reminded me of Aphrodite. I don’t know if it was deliberate, but Aphrodite is the Goddess of love and the image of her covering herself when naked is symbolic of protecting her power.
I just assumed she'd get punished by the end. The trailer didn't help either. And it's been a while since I last enjoyed Nicole Kidman as an actress. So, I'm glad I clicked on your review.
I was afraid of that too. I thought they were going to go the old school route of, "Older married woman loses everything, younger man gets off scot-free". The fact that they had her and her husband actually work to improve their marriage/sex life was so refreshing
I was afraid that it would justify having an affair, many men on the internet where cirtical about this online. But the movie did not do this at all for me, she clearly felt really guilty about the affair.
This movie just looks like the type of movie that if it was based on a novel, it would have a been based on a solo novel written by E.L James (author of the 50 shades of grey series) from like some years ago. Something just gives the vibe.
There is so much to discuss and appreciate about this movie- you're right, the marketing made it look more like a slightly-more-sophisticated '50 Shades of Grey' than the unpredictable social commentary that it was. That amazingly awkward hotel scene where they're both trying to figure out their roles was....something else. I wonder if Romy's psychological desires are in any way rooted to her having been raised in a cult (since cults are all about control- or it could be because of shame around sexuality in general). I also liked Kidman's line about resenting her husband for not knowing who she really was. Recovering from being a people-pleaser is a lifelong process- unlike in the movies, it's something that you have to keep reminding yourself to do until it becomes second nature. Speaking of which... I might be alone in this, but I found Esme's speech at the end really off-putting. It kind of sounded like straight blackmail, and that Esme was blaming Romy for the entire affair (again, coming back to that trope of the woman always being the one to get punished for having an affair). She implied that she had lost respect for Romy because of the affair, but would continue to keep up appearances as long as she got what she wanted. The part about "creating more opportunities for women" in the company didn't make much sense, since there didn't appear to be a power gap between women and men at that company at all (or if there was, maybe I was too dense to see it). I 100% agree that the score/soundtrack was absolute fire. The use of breathing that sounded kind of like throat-singing in tension building scenes was fantastic- as was the "Father Figure" scene! (I'd also be curious to get your take on the Milk Scene!)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I thought Esme's speech was a wake up call for Romy but I see what you're saying and how she almost blackmails her. But she did keep saying they would talk about Esme's future but with Romy being obsessed with Samuel she kept putting it off. And it does seem like most other ceo's were men and we have the image with her in the elevator with just a bunch of men. And the milk scene seems to be an example of their back and forth power dynamic? He "tells" her to drink the milk, but rather than shy away she downs the whole thing. Only to then be told good girl which seems condescending. I'm glad you liked the movie!
@WhytheBookWins I want to see it again, haha! My husband hated it, unfortunately 😆 Though he had his own interpretation of the Milk Scene- that it was Samuel essentially telling her to go to bed, since he chastised her for drinking too much coffee. That's a good point, there were still more men in executive positions within the company, although she was CEO. There are few fan theories about the movie that I've heard- one is that Samuel's character represents AI (with his ability to sense what people want/need, and to fulfill it), and that Jacob represents a real person- someone imperfect, but who is capable of creating a real human connection.
I'm a trans man....and this movie solidified that fact for me. This movie was not geared towards me 😅 it's definitely more for women. It was good, but not for me.
I loved the film but have seen some reviews that put forward the idea that the dog belonged to Samuel (final scenes) and that the assistant and Samuel were working together to get the recognition she has been asking for from Romy. At one point in the film, he says that she looks like a Mum and that he doesn't want her for a "girlfriend". I am interested in your opinion on this.
Thanks for commenting! After making this video I heard about this theory and if others want to beleive it I won't stop them, but I personally don't don't like that interpretation so I won't be thinking of it in that way.
wow finally someone who gets it! sadly i've been seeing some ppl hating on that film but tbh it will hit differently for everyone ofc. i do agree with everything u said BUT the line abt her mentioning growing up in a cult should be actually very defining and important for the whole context of her character. to me cults and children are always related to sexual abuse. i thought of Martha Marcy May Marlene which tells us that clearly growing up in a cult or just being abused has a huge impact on u. and it ties up perfectly of her being ashamed of her own fantasies because well some of them might be wrong and awful and she goes on for medical help even to find out whats wrong with her. also one little line might add to this cult lore which is smt jacob says abt her resenting her mom? maybe she resents her for letting her grow up in an environment like that. all her life, she felt like she was a hostage to her fantasies, like they owned her. now she is the owning them, she's in control. also can we talk more abt harris??? MAGNETIC and he is just the right amount of pretty like not too much and not too little and i love what u say abt how we dont see much of him. but i love how he SEES ppl and has so much ability in reading them. he is fantastic in that role im obsessed. also unrelated but i love ur hair and will def show to my hairdresser on my next appointment!
I'm glad you liked my video! Yeah part of me wishes we learned more about her childhood, but after a second watch I decided I'm glad we don't really get concrete details. But like you said, we can assume there was sexual abuse since that is common in cults. And seriously! Harris Dickinson deserves a supporting actor nom in my opinion, he brought so much depth to a character we don't learn much background on. And I agree, he was so magnetic! And thanks for the compliment on my hair ☺
wonderful review!! i gave this the same rating on letterboxd, i agree with everything you said!!!💘 people who are saying this is the most anti-feminist movie ever aren't real feminists themselves.... at least in my opinion 😳cristobal tapia de veer's score was also genius!
For me, it’s how she’s a robot with her husband and has made her sexual experiences as efficient as possible: plays the role of the doting wife and pretends to c*m, waits for him to sleep, knows exactly which website and what type of porn to use, and pleases herself in minutes
I´ve actually interpreted the final scene in a sadder light. I don´t agree that her marriage is better than ever. I think she will forever try to emulate and will only orgasm by reminiscing the time she was with Samuel. Overall, it is a pretty tamed movie and I feel she is still imprisoned. I would much rather she would just dump Antonio Banderas. The Piano Teacher and Dogs Dont Wear Paints are braver movies on the subject.
Your comment about how she couldn’t tell her husband what to do reminds me of a previous exchange “ Sometimes we what our husbands to be mind readers”. You were right then and you are right now. This was a really good review of the film. .
Well, not really. Incels assert that ALL women want to be dominated, or that they SHOULD be dominated whether they like it or not. The film is only interested in what Romy wants and does not in any way suggest that her desires are universal among straight women. Ironically, part of what's keeping Romy from being honest with Jacob is the shame she feels for wanting something that seems degrading or retrograde. A previous generation might have been ashamed of wanting sex at all, while Romy and Jacob's generation has decreed that sex is good, but only if it falls within certain parameters.
After watching this for a second time I can confirm that, for me, this movie is practically perfect.
*spoilers*
On a second viewing I was thinking how the submission role Romy has with Samuel was about vulnerability. It could be like I say in the video how having someone tell her what to do is a change from being the one in charge. But this time I around, yeah, I think it was really about her learning to be vulnerable. Not only in the sexual dynamics they have with what he has her do, but also because to O with someone is a vulnerable thing. We also see at work how someone is coaching her on what to say for some presentation and she sees weakness as a negative but she is told that to show weakness is actually a good thing. And this is something she learns is true as the movie goes along.
Also how she and Samuel’s relationship is all about the “giving and taking of power”, as Samuel says when they are talking about consent. There are times when Samuel has the power, but then other times when he is the vulnerable one.
And then that interaction with Jacob where he says to Samuel that that fantasy isn’t real to which Samuel tells him that Jacobs views on sex are outdated. This also circles back to the commentary the movie is making on the generational differences with Jacob and Romy vs Samuel, Esme, and her daughter.,
I was noticing even more how throughout the movie Jacob is wanting to be seen and to feel important and relevant to Romy, both personally as well as professionally (“Am I relevant to you as a director?” he asks when he is talking to her about his play.) In the end, not only is Romy getting what she wants, but Jacob is also being seen.
But still my favorite thing about this movie is its message of self-love and self-acceptance. When Romy is confessing to Jacob, she says she doesn’t want to be this type of person that she is and wants to be the kind of person Jacob loves. Which is heartbreaking because she feels that if she were her true self, he wouldn’t love her. She says multiple times that she just wants to be normal and wants to be the loving, strong, capable mother, wife, and CEO that she imagines herself to be and wants to shut out this other side of her. But by the end she learns to love herself and forgive herself, and that self acceptance is what gives her a new confidence in every aspect of life.
I really like the dynamics between both Romy and Jacob, and Romy and Samuel. As Samuel tells her of Esme-he likes them each for different reasons and he is a different type of person with each. Romy was a different person with Samuel than she was with Jacob, but by the end, those two sides of her have become one.
And the automation I think reflects how Romy’s world was on “auto pilot”, everything was automated as in it was a routine and a schedule she was in. Until Samuel comes along and interferes. He even says, he compares himself to a cuckoo bird who takes over someone else’s nest and wreaks havoc. Romy also has a work presentation where she says in this world of artificial intelligence, we need more emotional intelligence. By the end of the movie, I think Romy has gained more emotional intelligence and has stopped allowing her life to be “automated” and instead is being herself.
Also along with specifically shouting out the incredible Father Figure scene, I wanted to say how much I loved the song Crush during the rave scene!
@@WhytheBookWins thanks for the second deep dive. I like take on generational differences
The Father Figure scene, him dancing, was my FAVORITE scene from ANY movie of this year 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I'm so glad I have finally seen a review of this film that addresses those very unladylike O's! It's hard to overstate how radical those moments are in a mainstream movie starring an A-list actress. I saw it on Xmas with a girlfriend and her husband, and we were both like, "Yeah, if it's real, it's usually not pretty."
This is ABSOLUTELY ON POINT! I LOVE how an A list actress like her was bold enough to sound like that here because it really is so real.
I'm obsessed and I will see it today. The casting is phenomenal. Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas are just sooo attractive. 🔥
I saw it on Christmas Day with four friends, and no one liked it except me! Thanks for your video, at least there's someone else out there who appreciated the music, chemistry, trajectory of the narrative - besides the symbolism and direction! Just wish the marketing had been more accurate.
Yeah I've been sad to realize how many negative reviews this movie has! But oh well, at least some of us appreciate it!
Great review. I'm so sad that it seems like Nicole will be snubbed at the Oscars.
Yeah i just saw she didn't get a SAG nomination! So disappointed
I am glad you reviewed this as I also loved it. Marketing was terrible for this but not shocking cause 2024 was the year for horrible mismarketed trailers. I was also surprised to only see men reviewing it on youtube so I will check out your recommendation. Thanks!
I'm glad you also liked it!
I watched it yesterday and these where things that I did not like, but I really also did like the fact that it was clear that she felt really guilty abut the affair and really tried to restore the relationship with her man (to her capacity). So much more realistic and female friendly then other movies. Many critics online say that the movie justifies cheating as a woman, but to me the movie did not do this at all! As a Dutch women I am proud of 'our' Haline Reijn!
Thanks for commenting! And yeah, she clearly loved Jacob and wanted to keep her family and I loved how we see them deal with this. To say it is a movie that condones cheating is selling it short.
This is the first Reijn movie I've seen but now I want to watch the rest of her movies!
@@WhytheBookWins Yes, totaly agree! I did not really like bodies, bodies, bodies that much but I think her first Dutch movie (distributed by A24) instinct is probably really good. And she was really great as an actres in Blackbook, a Dutch movie about the second world war, it has been distributed in the US also I think.
Great movie and great review, you’re always engaging to listen to.
The scene where Nicole Kidman gets naked and the way she covered herself reminded me of Aphrodite. I don’t know if it was deliberate, but Aphrodite is the Goddess of love and the image of her covering herself when naked is symbolic of protecting her power.
Thanks ☺️ And that's such a great observation! I hadn't known about Aphrodite's stance.
Yes!
I just assumed she'd get punished by the end. The trailer didn't help either. And it's been a while since I last enjoyed Nicole Kidman as an actress. So, I'm glad I clicked on your review.
I was afraid of that too. I thought they were going to go the old school route of, "Older married woman loses everything, younger man gets off scot-free". The fact that they had her and her husband actually work to improve their marriage/sex life was so refreshing
Yeah totally agree!
@@AndrewandShelbyNagyYes, I too thought this was going to be the plot. The marketing definitely pushes you in that direction.
I was afraid that it would justify having an affair, many men on the internet where cirtical about this online. But the movie did not do this at all for me, she clearly felt really guilty about the affair.
This movie just looks like the type of movie that if it was based on a novel, it would have a been based on a solo novel written by E.L James (author of the 50 shades of grey series) from like some years ago. Something just gives the vibe.
Yeah I've heard people say the marketing is almost making it seem like a 50 Shades, but I promise it is so much better than that!
@@WhytheBookWins what about the book versus movie black and blue versus the movie enough, that movie is based on that book
@@RosemaryGabard Wait what?
@@joshlira2110 the movie with Jennifer Lopez
There is so much to discuss and appreciate about this movie- you're right, the marketing made it look more like a slightly-more-sophisticated '50 Shades of Grey' than the unpredictable social commentary that it was. That amazingly awkward hotel scene where they're both trying to figure out their roles was....something else.
I wonder if Romy's psychological desires are in any way rooted to her having been raised in a cult (since cults are all about control- or it could be because of shame around sexuality in general). I also liked Kidman's line about resenting her husband for not knowing who she really was. Recovering from being a people-pleaser is a lifelong process- unlike in the movies, it's something that you have to keep reminding yourself to do until it becomes second nature.
Speaking of which... I might be alone in this, but I found Esme's speech at the end really off-putting. It kind of sounded like straight blackmail, and that Esme was blaming Romy for the entire affair (again, coming back to that trope of the woman always being the one to get punished for having an affair). She implied that she had lost respect for Romy because of the affair, but would continue to keep up appearances as long as she got what she wanted. The part about "creating more opportunities for women" in the company didn't make much sense, since there didn't appear to be a power gap between women and men at that company at all (or if there was, maybe I was too dense to see it).
I 100% agree that the score/soundtrack was absolute fire. The use of breathing that sounded kind of like throat-singing in tension building scenes was fantastic- as was the "Father Figure" scene! (I'd also be curious to get your take on the Milk Scene!)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I thought Esme's speech was a wake up call for Romy but I see what you're saying and how she almost blackmails her. But she did keep saying they would talk about Esme's future but with Romy being obsessed with Samuel she kept putting it off. And it does seem like most other ceo's were men and we have the image with her in the elevator with just a bunch of men.
And the milk scene seems to be an example of their back and forth power dynamic? He "tells" her to drink the milk, but rather than shy away she downs the whole thing. Only to then be told good girl which seems condescending.
I'm glad you liked the movie!
@WhytheBookWins I want to see it again, haha! My husband hated it, unfortunately 😆 Though he had his own interpretation of the Milk Scene- that it was Samuel essentially telling her to go to bed, since he chastised her for drinking too much coffee.
That's a good point, there were still more men in executive positions within the company, although she was CEO. There are few fan theories about the movie that I've heard- one is that Samuel's character represents AI (with his ability to sense what people want/need, and to fulfill it), and that Jacob represents a real person- someone imperfect, but who is capable of creating a real human connection.
@AndrewandShelbyNagy oh wow I hadn't heard about that interpretation!
I'm a trans man....and this movie solidified that fact for me. This movie was not geared towards me 😅 it's definitely more for women. It was good, but not for me.
I loved the film but have seen some reviews that put forward the idea that the dog belonged to Samuel (final scenes) and that the assistant and Samuel were working together to get the recognition she has been asking for from Romy. At one point in the film, he says that she looks like a Mum and that he doesn't want her for a "girlfriend". I am interested in your opinion on this.
Thanks for commenting! After making this video I heard about this theory and if others want to beleive it I won't stop them, but I personally don't don't like that interpretation so I won't be thinking of it in that way.
Love your take on it.
wow finally someone who gets it! sadly i've been seeing some ppl hating on that film but tbh it will hit differently for everyone ofc. i do agree with everything u said BUT the line abt her mentioning growing up in a cult should be actually very defining and important for the whole context of her character. to me cults and children are always related to sexual abuse. i thought of Martha Marcy May Marlene which tells us that clearly growing up in a cult or just being abused has a huge impact on u. and it ties up perfectly of her being ashamed of her own fantasies because well some of them might be wrong and awful and she goes on for medical help even to find out whats wrong with her. also one little line might add to this cult lore which is smt jacob says abt her resenting her mom? maybe she resents her for letting her grow up in an environment like that. all her life, she felt like she was a hostage to her fantasies, like they owned her. now she is the owning them, she's in control. also can we talk more abt harris??? MAGNETIC and he is just the right amount of pretty like not too much and not too little and i love what u say abt how we dont see much of him. but i love how he SEES ppl and has so much ability in reading them. he is fantastic in that role im obsessed. also unrelated but i love ur hair and will def show to my hairdresser on my next appointment!
I'm glad you liked my video! Yeah part of me wishes we learned more about her childhood, but after a second watch I decided I'm glad we don't really get concrete details. But like you said, we can assume there was sexual abuse since that is common in cults.
And seriously! Harris Dickinson deserves a supporting actor nom in my opinion, he brought so much depth to a character we don't learn much background on. And I agree, he was so magnetic!
And thanks for the compliment on my hair ☺
wonderful review!! i gave this the same rating on letterboxd, i agree with everything you said!!!💘 people who are saying this is the most anti-feminist movie ever aren't real feminists themselves.... at least in my opinion 😳cristobal tapia de veer's score was also genius!
I haven't looked at many other reviews so I didn't know people are saying that! How silly. Glad to hear you liked it too 😊
Same. I'm still trying to figure out the metaphor behind the "automating" work scenes too.
For me, it’s how she’s a robot with her husband and has made her sexual experiences as efficient as possible: plays the role of the doting wife and pretends to c*m, waits for him to sleep, knows exactly which website and what type of porn to use, and pleases herself in minutes
I´ve actually interpreted the final scene in a sadder light. I don´t agree that her marriage is better than ever. I think she will forever try to emulate and will only orgasm by reminiscing the time she was with Samuel. Overall, it is a pretty tamed movie and I feel she is still imprisoned. I would much rather she would just dump Antonio Banderas. The Piano Teacher and Dogs Dont Wear Paints are braver movies on the subject.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I personally am going to continue seeing it as a positive ending but I can see where you're coming from.
New to your YoutTube channel. Excellent review on Babygirl. Thanks!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked my review 😊
I looooved it too! Might be the Best Nicole has been since Big Little Lies.
I would love it if she won the oscar this year! Or at least one of the awards this season
@@WhytheBookWins She won Best Actress at Venice
Great review, I really didn't care for for movie. Your review made me see things different, but I was disappointed that the sex scenes were not good.
I’m torn between watching Babygirl or Nosferatu this weekend
Ooo that's tough, I give Babygirl a higher rating but I think Nosferatu probably has a wider appeal.
Double feature!
The movies should be combined. Samuel turns out to be Nosferatu. 😆
Thanks, really want to see this one.
I hope you enjoy it too!
It is on my list of movies to watch. 😊.
Omg I wanna see this so bad, will have to return to this vid when I do
Let me know what you think I've you've seen it! 😁
It's free on the streaming site
Soap2day 😊
I like this review
Thanks!
❤❤❤
Thanks for your great review, I love Nicole Kidman but sadly the movie was just a waste of my time…didn’t find any chemistry from Harris.
Oh that's too bad! Sorry you were disappointed in it.
This movie proves incels right unfortunately.
I don't pay attention to what incels are saying so I wouldn't know 😆
@ yes i wish the president wasn’t one
Your comment about how she couldn’t tell her husband what to do reminds me of a previous exchange
“ Sometimes we what our husbands to be mind readers”. You were right then and you are right now. This was a really good review of the film. .
Well, not really. Incels assert that ALL women want to be dominated, or that they SHOULD be dominated whether they like it or not. The film is only interested in what Romy wants and does not in any way suggest that her desires are universal among straight women. Ironically, part of what's keeping Romy from being honest with Jacob is the shame she feels for wanting something that seems degrading or retrograde. A previous generation might have been ashamed of wanting sex at all, while Romy and Jacob's generation has decreed that sex is good, but only if it falls within certain parameters.
What does it prove exactly?
I can’t believe TH-cam don’t allow the creators to say orgasm or masturbation 😮