Presented as an “erotic thriller” I am sure I am not the only one who had to think of the late 20th century style that was popular at the time, thrillers with sex scenes. “Babygirl” is not really a thriller though. Basically, it is a long string of sex scenes.
The ever beautiful Nicole Kidman (1967-) plays Romy, a successful CEO of a company that she started herself. She leads the life of a powerful woman with a loving husband (Antonio Banderas) and two children. People look up at her.
Even though Romy sees herself as strong woman, for many years she had the sexual fantasy of being dominated. He husband does not get the clues though. A young intern at work perfectly senses Romy’s craving and an odd relationship develops.
The thriller element is of course the fear that the relationship between Romy and Samuel comes out. “Mutual concent” sounds interesting, but even in a relationship between two people, more people are involved. Not in the least place a husband and children. And of course there is work. Samuel pushes boundaries by bringing this larger environment of Romy into their play.
Tossed between her public role and the image she has of herself, the fantasies she has always suppressed and the effect that Samuel has on her, Romy goes from powerwoman to docile sheep within seconds. The film shows Romy as a role model woman, but also one with an inner life and desires. This should not be strange, but it is uncommon to be so visible and I guess that is the reason why the film is applauded. What is more, in spite of everything, at the end Romy is still a self assured woman and she even managed to work things out with her husband.
