npr.org
Babygirl": Kidman's Risky Exploration of Power and Sexuality
Nicole Kidman plays Romy Mathis, a CEO who secretly enjoys sexual submission and finds it with a young intern, Samuel, in Halina Reijn's "Babygirl", raising questions about power, consent, and the #MeToo era.
- How does the film's focus on Romy's internal experience affect its exploration of the power dynamics between her and Samuel?
- The movie contrasts Romy's professional success with her unmet sexual desires, highlighting the complexities of female sexuality and power. While seemingly empowering, the film's lack of consequences for Romy's actions raises questions about its portrayal of consent and power imbalances in a post-#MeToo context.
- What are the immediate implications of portraying a powerful female CEO's fulfillment of sexual desires with a subordinate in a post-#MeToo era?
- Babygirl", a new film starring Nicole Kidman, explores a CEO's secret desire for sexual submission, finding fulfillment with a young intern. The film avoids explicit nudity but focuses on the psychological aspects of their relationship, raising questions about power dynamics in the workplace.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of the film's portrayal of a consensual but potentially exploitative relationship, and how might this influence future cinematic depictions of power and sexuality?
- The film's reluctance to explore the potential negative consequences of Romy's relationship with Samuel, particularly the power imbalance and potential for professional repercussions, weakens its exploration of sexual politics. The lack of character development for Samuel limits a deeper understanding of the relationship's dynamics.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review frames *Babygirl* primarily through the lens of its perceived shortcomings, emphasizing its 'tame' nature and lack of exploration of power dynamics. The positive aspects, such as Kidman's performance, are mentioned but subordinated to the critique. The headline and introduction set a critical tone, influencing the reader's initial perception.
Language Bias
The review uses loaded language such as "dodgy domination porn," "laughable nudie sleaze," and "transgressive" (described as a 'played-out buzzword'). These terms carry negative connotations and lack neutrality. The phrase "HR nightmare" is also judgmental. More neutral alternatives could include "adult films," "explicit content," and replacing the subjective 'played out buzzword' with a more objective description.
Bias by Omission
The review omits discussion of the film's broader cultural context and its potential impact on viewers. The absence of a detailed analysis of the power dynamics between Romy and Samuel beyond the surface level prevents a complete understanding of the film's message. There is no mention of critical reception outside of the author's opinion. The comparison to Catherine Breillat's *Last Summer* highlights a missing element of consequence in *Babygirl*.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a false dichotomy between sexual liberation and the film's failure to address power dynamics seriously. It suggests that a film cannot be both empowering and critically explore power imbalances. It also implies that sexual exploration must always lead to negative consequences or 'punishment', a simplification of complex social issues.
Gender Bias
The review focuses heavily on Romy's sexual desires and fantasies, potentially reinforcing traditional gender roles and expectations. While the review praises Kidman's performance, the analysis is largely centered on Romy's sexual experiences rather than exploring broader themes of power or societal expectations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The movie explores themes of female sexuality and power dynamics in a relationship, contributing to a nuanced conversation about gender roles and female agency. While the film is not explicitly advocating for any particular social change, its exploration of a woman's sexual desires and choices can be seen as a step towards challenging traditional gender norms and promoting a more open and accepting attitude toward female sexuality. The film shows the main character achieving sexual fulfillment and exploring her desires, which can be seen as an example of female empowerment.