BABYGIRL review and ending explained (I'm obsessed!)

[@mmem4264]

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.

[@AndrewandShelbyNagy]

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

[@WhytheBookWins]

Yeah totally agree!

[@KushKiki]

​@@AndrewandShelbyNagyYes, I too thought this was going to be the plot. The marketing definitely pushes you in that direction.

[@gigi-ij1hk]

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."

[@Dparish24]

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.

[@WhytheBookWins]

Thanks ☺️ And that's such a great observation! I hadn't known about Aphrodite's stance.

[@arianaslair5646]

Yes!

[@AndrewandShelbyNagy]

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!)

[@Bluebox87]

Great review. I'm so sad that it seems like Nicole will be snubbed at the Oscars.

[@WhytheBookWins]

Yeah i just saw she didn't get a SAG nomination! So disappointed

[@joshlira2110]

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.

[@WhytheBookWins]

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!

[@RosemaryGabard]

@@WhytheBookWins what about the book versus movie black and blue versus the movie enough, that movie is based on that book

[@joshlira2110]

@@RosemaryGabard Wait what?

[@RosemaryGabard]

@@joshlira2110 the movie with Jennifer Lopez

[@jensoto8012]

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!

[@WhytheBookWins]

I'm glad you also liked it!

[@devenalex324]

Same. I'm still trying to figure out the metaphor behind the "automating" work scenes too.

[@karinavidal4882]

I’m torn between watching Babygirl or Nosferatu this weekend

[@WhytheBookWins]

Ooo that's tough, I give Babygirl a higher rating but I think Nosferatu probably has a wider appeal.

[@capuchinospodcast9051]

I looooved it too! Might be the Best Nicole has been since Big Little Lies.

[@WhytheBookWins]

I would love it if she won the oscar this year! Or at least one of the awards this season

[@gigi-ij1hk]

@@WhytheBookWins She won Best Actress at Venice

[@Gunna5067]

Thanks, really want to see this one.

[@WhytheBookWins]

I hope you enjoy it too!

[@elderflower2133]

Omg I wanna see this so bad, will have to return to this vid when I do

[@WhytheBookWins]

Let me know what you think I've you've seen it! 😁

[@Mr.N3cro]

It is on my list of movies to watch. 😊.

[@Hogtownboy1]

This movie proves incels right unfortunately.

[@WhytheBookWins]

I don't pay attention to what incels are saying so I wouldn't know 😆

[@Hogtownboy1]

@ yes i wish the president wasn’t one

[@Hogtownboy1]

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. .

[@gigi-ij1hk]

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.