I’m glad to hear a critic call out the tiresome ‘smirking’ at any serious attempt at talking about sex. It’s a function of shutting down discussion & maintaining the status quo, and should be treated with contempt; not just because it’s annoying, but because it’s dangerous.
It’s not as dangerous as taking it seriously in the wrong way, humor is actually good sometimes. But it is dismissive of (usually) female sexuality. However, dismissive is sometimes better than the alternatives, maybe.
I love Simon's little laugh at Mark saying "...to complete this process". Yes we know exactly what you mean Mark, no more detail required. Very delicately put.
It was nice. However I think the actual scenes in this were more realistic because they weren’t as sensationalized. Secretary was a more entertaining, but a little less genuine film.
I think mark absolutely nailed it. I don’t understand people not getting this movie. It’s an arthouse, female gazy Adrian Lyne movie with Kidman playing with her star persona. If you enjoyed Karina Longworths podcast series on the Erotic 80s and 90s I think you like BabyGirl
How can Eyes Wide Shut be Stanley Kubrick's worst movie? Even if you feel it doesn't rank up to his other classics, he made some duffers in the early '50s.
"One of the other things people say: 'it's not sexy.' It's not meant to be sexy! It's meant to be a psychological drama that is about sex, as opposed to a sexy film." I pretty much agree, but to be fair to those people, the trailer puts in giant pink font across the screen, "DELICIOUS. SPIKY, SEXY AND DARING" and "AN EXPLOSIVE GAME OF SEDUCTION," set to a literally panting soundtrack. So you can't really knock audiences expecting a sexy film for being disappointed or feeling misled. I know the filmmakers and the marketers are two separate, distinct camps. But people who say "it's not sexy" are valid in their complaint that what they were sold is not what they got.
It's a movie about consent and power. It might be a totally different watching experience as a woman and as a Dutch woman knowing about the director's life. It's also precisely a different take on the erotic thrillers of the 90's where the woman is mostly a sexual object.
The fact that sex us still smirked at (and you're right) is inherent, to an extent, within the spectrum of power structures that sex has over the population. Bravo! Any media that tackles subjects that make us uncomfortable is de facto Art. In my opinion.
I've been a "Cougar" ... the love of my life pursued me ... some of the best times were had by both of us. We agreed to go our separate ways when he wanted children and I was more focused on my career. Still THE BEST MEMORIES keep me going as I slip into 'old age' ... ahhh
I loved this film so much. It’s Scott a woman who is in charge of everything but still isn’t understood or heard until she meets him and gets exactly what she needs. She stops hiding herself to do the things she wants to do and then she and her husband really start their relationship together being heard by each other and being honest
Not sure if I'd personally say that Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's worst film. I actually think it's quite an interesting film in its own way. He made a couple of questionable B-Movies early in his career too before hitting his stride (Fear and Desire and Killer's Kiss). I'd also say Lolita's not held up quite as well as some of his others, but that's just me.
I watched it today, and I think it's brilliant. Mark, you are right. Any movie that portrays sex is still taboo for the British audience, hence the comments of the audience you mentioned. All actors are brilliant. The soundtrack works miraculously. Two well known songs, played entirely, punctuating the plot. Nota bene: played entirely, not just a fragment. Nicole was bold to accept the role.
Good (if uneven) film...felt like the marketing was a bit deceptive in calling it an erotic thriller since it definitely wasn't the latter at all and was barely the former.
One for the laughter lift: A masochist and a sadist are walking down the street together. The masochist says ‘hit me,’ and the sadist says, ‘no, I won’t.’
I was with you until you said Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's worst. Bad take, that film is aging like a fine wine IMO. That said, Babygirl was so much fun.
So many surface level comments here with no nuance. Thought it was incredible and really interesting conversation on monogamy. Performances and direction were stunning. Loved mark calling out the smirks and dismissive attitude. Annoying thinking people think having a female CEO want to be degraded is a negative - human beings are multifaceted and so is sexual desire and kink.
"Do you always have a cookie on you?" Given the last scene, you can make a good film out of this, if you can work in the husband being in on it all the time, and maybe even the other intern. Other than that it wasn't far off Carry On Bondage :-)
For once agree with Mark… except it fully worked for us …I went with a group of girl friends and we loved it… great acting…and much discussion ensued and we could all relate to it - brilliant
I would like to add that the book Dream story by Arthur Schnitzler written in 1926 (the basis for eyes wide shut) covers most of the themes in this film and more/better. It's weird that in 2025 people are still shocked by kinks, It's like people with tattoos who still think they are edgy. (When really nobody takes much notice of either, although both can be amusing at times)
Reckon it's a story about attraction, magnetism, electricity to/between ANO human (soul) who is outside of one's own family bubble. Which family bubble/work life is stifling cos of requirements to CONFORM to the EGO construct of assumed stereotype. In perpetuity. Forever. For life. I cud mention chakras and elevation .... But probly not the best place to do so. Performances by NK and HD were indeed electric and projected obsession on to the screen. Kudos. Deserves Oscar nominations.
I liked the twist at the end with the dog being his, and then knowing that it was all a set up between Samuel and Esme. So Esme could get more control of the company.
We were trying to figure out who was in on it, besides the dog. We tried to make various combinations of the husband, Samuel, and Esme work. How would Esme have known about Romy's kink in order to be involved in setting her up with Samuel. My take was the husband hired Samuel, and maybe Esme got in on the act later. Who knows??
My take was that Samuel in the hotel room with the dog was what she was picturing/fantasising about in her head during sex with her husband, symbolising that she can be satisfied now by accepting and expressing all the things she needs. She doesn’t have to run off and watch porn after being with him, she can be with him and tap into those memories. I loved it. They were both fantastic.
@@definatalieeewell yeah, but then he's seen with it at the end which then muddies the waters. Wasn't sure - like as above commented - whether it was meant to be taken literal or not but showing it as such gives the opposite impression.
The metatheatrical thread of ‘Hedda Gabler’ is significant, but ‘Babygirl’ is more Strindberg than Ibsen, the power shifts between Romy, Samuel and Esme being surprising and brilliantly modulated. The acting is extraordinary throughout and the film has a moving moment of tenderness as Kidman disrobes to stand like Botticelli’s Venus. The night shots of New York reminded me of ‘Blade Runner’, with one in particular of Kidman seen in an edifice at night through the window, and this may not merely be an impression as the theme of robots is explored (but not resolved) though more in the context of the massive networks of repression at work on Romy and by extension women of a certain age. The bedroom scenes with Jacob are revelatory, as Kidman twists and flutters like a trapped bird, stifled and claustrophobic, an object lesson for men to beware complacency and be alive to the signals. That ‘Babygirl’ is essentially a ‘comedie’ is refreshing, the usual tropes of the erotic thriller being eschewed for something more redemptive and celebratory. The film should win awards, but probably won’t.
Babygirl is a bit too much like 50 Shades, except it almost works. People who don't know about this fetish trying to write it. Which is almost okay, because the plot spells out, these characters are confused and don't know what they want. That's how you should write something if you dont know enough about it. And the plot flatlines at the end, but it's a commentary on society, so it's valid to say society is a bit confused. Basically. This is a slow burn art house film. If you're the type of person who sees A24 and knows what to expect. Go see it. It's fine.
Babygirl is a much better film if Romy’s line at the end about “if I want that kind of thing, I’ll pay for it” is actually a big fat hint that she *paid* Samuel to be on the internship programme, after seeing him control the dog in the street. So she’s really very much in control all along, and *not* just playing second fiddle (no pun intended) to her desires and a man who’s manipulating her through them.
I agree, I'm usually on the same page as Mark but can't go with him at all on EWS being his worst movie. I can understand people making a case for it to be put below 2001, Barry Lyndon, The Shining in particular but it's a bit of a stretch to say it's worse than Killer's Kiss or Fear and Desire
I couldn't disagree more. It is a beautifully made film. I would love to revisit certain scenes that are just flawless. It is however, utterly hollow at its center. Psychologically and intellectually. The relationship between Kidman and Cruise beggars belief. That she could send him to the brink of despair by sharing the sexual fantasies she had of some stranger years prior almost made me spit out my popcorn! I left the cinema reeling with disbelief. Talk about a tempest in a teapot. I admire Kubrick immensely and felt extremely sad that he died so soon after its release.
it's actually a very subtle film and very few people notice the underlying message of child abduction and people selling their children into sex trafficking rings (prescient or maybe just aware of Epstein-esque occurrences). rewatch the end of the film and notice the daughter is subtly abducted by a member of the secret society, while the parents allow for it to happen. there's way more going on behind the surface - it's a completely different film to the one we thought on first watch
I completely agree with this review. I really enjoyed the film. It was about female sexual awakening - even for a woman in her 50s (how dare she). The two leads were excellent.
Just seen this, the bit when Nicole Kidmen drank milk from the dog bowl reminded me of when former MP George Galloway did the same on big brother and I had to laugh. Solid 2/10 film, i.e. absolute dogshit.
there are such double standards - as Nicole Kidman's character is a woman it's seen as a bold exploration of sexuality but if it had been a man it would have been seen as simply an abuse of power, it wouldn't be seen as an interestingly complex film
@@achilpat3331 I'm willing to bet money that if it were a male CEO character who is also a submissive, the majority of comments would not be about abuse of power on his part, but rather of a more condescending, "what a pu**y" variety.
Hopefully this adds to the discussion just by virtue of this fact. There is almost an 'acceptable fetishisation' to the age gap/abuse of power (both are at play with age gaps to varying degrees) when the woman is the older party. You see it in the way male SA victims are treated and even how they process the events themselves, and the reaction to older women getting involved with much younger men is often dismissed with 'well men do it all the time' as though thats not a criticism of men as well. True equality is accepting both are capable of abuses of power, inappropriate behaviour, rape etc.
It's almost as if her being an older woman is a pretty important aspect of the power dynamic that the film is displaying. Saying that the film would be seen differently if you changed something integral isn't really a big revelation.
Because she’s a good actress, from a generation of actresses who were taught from childhood that unless they got Botox, they would look disgusting and never work in film again.
I've never been a fan tbh. Her ability to convey nuanced emotion is simply not there - it never was when her face was more flexible and not now. She's an odd case for sure.
@@hayley179g Oh for sure, however we do get to judge if the creator achieved the expresses result. This doesn't change the fact the finished product may be something else and a fine example of that something else. That's the beauty of creative process, it sometimes becomes it's own thing.
I was hoping for a bit more of a bite with this film! Way less striking that piano teacher and much less fun than secretary. I did enjoy myself and I liked the performances but I left the cinema just feeling indifferent!
I thought the film was good. I thought a few of the choices weren’t very subtle. I was also enjoying the scene about consent too where he’s trying to get her to vocalise what she wanted. I found it a weird choice to have him threaten to tell people at work about the dynamic…that felt a bit coercive.
I have been waiting for your take. Not smirking, but I thought Reijn played it too safe. I also disagree with your opinion on 9 1/2 Weeks, which I thought was a better, darker, and edgier film about this kind of subject matter. Agree 100% about Dickinson. He stole the show in every scene he was in and I could see him as a promising newcomer. I hope he gets better roles. I thought Babygirl wasn't average/mid, not great, but not terrible. Certainly better than 50 Shades, that's for sure.
It was absolutely dreadful. Like ChatGTP was asked to write an “erotic” “thriller”. Scenes that lasted under 2 minutes, zero character development and the whole dynamic between them seemed to change every five minutes. Eyes Wide Shut was better 🤷🏻♀️
Its unfortunate this movie did not really resonate for me bc I really like listening to people discuss the balance of being an empowered woman who enjoys sexual domination. Someone said once, people engage in all kinds of things they would never really want to happen to them, like watching shows about the cartel or war, and that doesn't mean that those people don't respect themselves, so why does it mean that for women who engage in media about bdsm, or who enjoy fantasies in real life. I liked how Antonio Banderas was struggling to be aggressive and dominate with his wife because he respects her so much, he doesn't get off on belittling her, and he thinks that's how he should love her. But she is giving him permission to do these things, and he needs to meet her where she's at if he truly does care. But unfortunately this movie just did not work for me in general 😫 very boring imo
I notice that a lot of people in the comments do not respond to the film but rather whine a bit.... is there no opinion or do you all find it too exciting...?
Someone who is able to figure out what another wants and become that person is a psychopath. The psychopath has no core identity ands needs the other to fill that void but ultimately ends up manipulating the other person to maintain and control the superficial relationship masquerading as a real relationship.
That coffee conversation is so believable...😂. What I hate about films like this is that they are targeted towards women and foisted on us as chick flicks or thing we want to see onscreen. It looks like trash.
I was surprised at how seriously the film dealt with the power dynamics within these relationships, and how it refused to come down conclusively on a moral related to all these goings on. Power is constantly shifting between parties, sometimes willingly, sometimes with a view toward achieving some personal gain. The idea that people embedded within a certain milieu or movement (e.g. strong female bosses) can find pleasure in living out fantasies which go against their desires for society as a whole is an idea that the film works through particularly well. It’s not a masterpiece. The Banderas character in particular needed more dimension. But I left feeling satisfied that the film contained a compelling and coherent narrative. I think Kubrick’s worst film is clearly Full Metal Jacket. Eyes Wide Shut has been the subject of a critical reappraisal which I think it deserves. However, I find Kidman’s performance in the film somewhat problematic, to the point that I can’t help wincing at certain scenes that she’s in early on (even though I realize that she’s meant to represent some kind of subconscious oneiric terror for Cruise). Either way, it’s amazing how unwilling he was to compromise his vision, even if it meant that one of his films wouldn’t be appreciated for decades. No matter how successful he became he always walked the same tightrope when it came to his work.
Very interesting comment. You don't think Kubrick simply lost the plot with regard to EWS ? He had an idea, and a pair of ideal, married actors to play with, some great scenes to bandy about and then just end the whole shebang with the husband's almost nervous breakdown over his wife's imagined infidelity?? Did l miss something larger than life here??
"He's reading the Bible!" was pretty silly. "That's an outdated view of male sexuality!" or whatever the exact quote was, was also pretty silly :-) But yeah, I was bored most of the time too.
Watched the movie last night and thought itbwas good. I thought Nicole Kidman's oerformance was excellent at showing the sexual frustrations and guilt of wanting more than just the usual sex. There is in this country still a prudeness about nuditiy and sex, where any movie dealing with sexual activities makes people sit uncomfortable in their seats.
I found it totally boring, implausible and pedestrian. . The three main office based characters are all completely unlikeable. The “seduction” is laughable . The depiction of domination and submission is hilarious . They meet for their first tryst and she is told to get on all fours and stand in a corner . There is a hilarious scene where Romy sits on the bed and the Dom asks her to do something. I still cannot work out whether she is giggling out of nervousness and hence good acting or she is laughing at the preposterous scenario like most of the audience were. As for the sex scenes looking at Nicole Kidman’s face whilst she faked an orgasm might be erotic to some it is not a patch on listening to Jane Birkin on Je t’aime. But despite all of the above the bit I and the female friends found so implausible is that Romy the high flying , self made, successful career woman who has succeeded in the male corporate world is so utterly clueless at picking up and acting in the red flags given out by her lover . Imagine having an affair and your lover turns up at your house uninvited 3 times and you still don’t get the hint he might be a bunny boiler , I think not . I wouldn’t give it no stars as I didn’t walk out of the cinema although I was looking at my watch and waiting for it to finish with a lot less anticipation than Ms Kidman had .
it's a very good movie also because it moves away from the male gaze and there is a psycholigical and emotional evolvement. not for the easy thrill seekers
@@frankgeurts3912 I think that final scene was Romy fantasising about how she met Samuel and their first tryst in that hotel room in order to orgasm with her husband (Jacob) as they were recreating exactly what had happened in that hotel room. I don't think that scene was real. It was a fantasy. The whole film is about fantasy and kink afterall. You saw Samuel hand the dog back to its owner after he calms it down in that initial scene. It's not his dog.
I'm tired of watching submissive women on screen, but rarely submissive men . Okay so this is written and directed by a woman, and the woman is the one in a more powerful position, but is it really saying anything new about female desire and bdsm? If not, I can't be bothered with this tired nonsense
Completely unbelievable characters. No chemistry between the two leads, boring, joyless erotica between them. NK completely unconvincing as a CEO, never believed for a second she was a boss, overcostumed for a person who actually would be in that position, ridiculous ill-fitting wig. Faux vulnerability on display, no emotional depth. The only actor who looked like they could connect with a version of the dynamics in this film, was Antonio Banderas, but unfortunately the material was so juvenile. it sucked.
Ive honestly never been sooo bored watching a movie. Walked out before last 30 mins. No chemistry between characters. Dont care about characters...just didnt care. Nothing gripping . Dull dull dull
I’m glad to hear a critic call out the tiresome ‘smirking’ at any serious attempt at talking about sex. It’s a function of shutting down discussion & maintaining the status quo, and should be treated with contempt; not just because it’s annoying, but because it’s dangerous.
It makes people uncomfortable
It’s not as dangerous as taking it seriously in the wrong way, humor is actually good sometimes. But it is dismissive of (usually) female sexuality. However, dismissive is sometimes better than the alternatives, maybe.
@@hayley179g have u uhm seen😊
Eyes wide shut is a great movie!
❤ Def
I love Simon's little laugh at Mark saying "...to complete this process". Yes we know exactly what you mean Mark, no more detail required. Very delicately put.
Came from lana
Secretary did this very well too I thought, a thoughtful and serious observation on bdsm.
I've always LOVED that movie. When I saw the Babygirl trailer, 30 seconds in I wondered "Oh, so Secretary but reversed?"
I thought of secretary too 😊
It was nice. However I think the actual scenes in this were more realistic because they weren’t as sensationalized. Secretary was a more entertaining, but a little less genuine film.
Such a misunderstood film, I think largely due to it weirdly and incorrrectly being bundled into the 50 Shades catagory.
I think mark absolutely nailed it. I don’t understand people not getting this movie. It’s an arthouse, female gazy Adrian Lyne movie with Kidman playing with her star persona.
If you enjoyed Karina Longworths podcast series on the Erotic 80s and 90s I think you like BabyGirl
He was, however, totally wrong about Eyes Wide Shut. 😕
It seems that your definition of the female gaze is the inverse of the male gaze. That unfortunately not how it works. Entirely not a credible film.
Yes I am a big fan of her podcast series and I enjoyed this film!
What? No references to The Exorcist?
@@davidmacgowan2337 is the film really related to the exorcist? Is this a joke?
I can't believe in this day and age how weird people are about kinks.
They’re weird about sex, it always is like that
Wish the last act had some sort of punch, it just flatlines at the end. The first 2 acts were solid though. Kidman was great
Mark, it surprises me, you didn't mention Secretary, starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhal.
Love your show, a fellow Exorcist-fan, from Denmark.
@@sonnyhenriksen284 couldn’t agree with you more x
How can Eyes Wide Shut be Stanley Kubrick's worst movie? Even if you feel it doesn't rank up to his other classics, he made some duffers in the early '50s.
I liked that film
"One of the other things people say: 'it's not sexy.' It's not meant to be sexy! It's meant to be a psychological drama that is about sex, as opposed to a sexy film."
I pretty much agree, but to be fair to those people, the trailer puts in giant pink font across the screen, "DELICIOUS. SPIKY, SEXY AND DARING" and "AN EXPLOSIVE GAME OF SEDUCTION," set to a literally panting soundtrack. So you can't really knock audiences expecting a sexy film for being disappointed or feeling misled. I know the filmmakers and the marketers are two separate, distinct camps. But people who say "it's not sexy" are valid in their complaint that what they were sold is not what they got.
That is true. The trailer also sucks as it’s a slow film, so all the scenes of the film are basically in the trailer.
Also it literally was sexy. Sorry!
It's a movie about consent and power. It might be a totally different watching experience as a woman and as a Dutch woman knowing about the director's life. It's also precisely a different take on the erotic thrillers of the 90's where the woman is mostly a sexual object.
So different!
The fact that sex us still smirked at (and you're right) is inherent, to an extent, within the spectrum of power structures that sex has over the population. Bravo! Any media that tackles subjects that make us uncomfortable is de facto Art. In my opinion.
I've been a "Cougar" ... the love of my life pursued me ... some of the best times were had by both of us. We agreed to go our separate ways when he wanted children and I was more focused on my career. Still THE BEST MEMORIES keep me going as I slip into 'old age' ... ahhh
If he was the love of your life, you would have found a way to make it work. Dickmatised is more likely. There is something better waiting for you.
I do LOVE Eyes Wide Shut.
I loved this film so much. It’s Scott a woman who is in charge of everything but still isn’t understood or heard until she meets him and gets exactly what she needs. She stops hiding herself to do the things she wants to do and then she and her husband really start their relationship together being heard by each other and being honest
Don’t understand the dislike in the comments, great movie, loved it
it's perceived as another volley in the war, which it is; though scanning through them now, i don't really see much
Excellent review, thank you.
Scores big points for the Kes tattoo on his arm.
@@danielfletcher4324 could you explain this please! not sure if I caught the relevance of the tattoo.
Not sure if I'd personally say that Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's worst film. I actually think it's quite an interesting film in its own way. He made a couple of questionable B-Movies early in his career too before hitting his stride (Fear and Desire and Killer's Kiss). I'd also say Lolita's not held up quite as well as some of his others, but that's just me.
I watched it today, and I think it's brilliant. Mark, you are right. Any movie that portrays sex is still taboo for the British audience, hence the comments of the audience you mentioned.
All actors are brilliant. The soundtrack works miraculously. Two well known songs, played entirely, punctuating the plot. Nota bene: played entirely, not just a fragment.
Nicole was bold to accept the role.
Good (if uneven) film...felt like the marketing was a bit deceptive in calling it an erotic thriller since it definitely wasn't the latter at all and was barely the former.
I was soo bored. Didn't care about characters...dull dull dull
One for the laughter lift: A masochist and a sadist are walking down the street together. The masochist says ‘hit me,’ and the sadist says, ‘no, I won’t.’
Personal Services is inspired by the real experiences of how successfully people want to be treated
I was with you until you said Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's worst. Bad take, that film is aging like a fine wine IMO. That said, Babygirl was so much fun.
So many surface level comments here with no nuance. Thought it was incredible and really interesting conversation on monogamy. Performances and direction were stunning. Loved mark calling out the smirks and dismissive attitude. Annoying thinking people think having a female CEO want to be degraded is a negative - human beings are multifaceted and so is sexual desire and kink.
"Do you always have a cookie on you?" Given the last scene, you can make a good film out of this, if you can work in the husband being in on it all the time, and maybe even the other intern. Other than that it wasn't far off Carry On Bondage :-)
Loved Secretary
Exceptional review would love Mark to do a review book on movies one day
Just saw it, thought it was great.
For once agree with Mark… except it fully worked for us …I went with a group of girl friends and we loved it… great acting…and much discussion ensued and we could all relate to it - brilliant
I would like to add that the book Dream story by Arthur Schnitzler written in 1926 (the basis for eyes wide shut) covers most of the themes in this film and more/better.
It's weird that in 2025 people are still shocked by kinks, It's like people with tattoos who still think they are edgy. (When really nobody takes much notice of either, although both can be amusing at times)
I guess Mark has never seen Fear & Desire or Killer's Kiss if he thinks Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's worst lol
Right? 😂 I can’t believe he’d say that if he’s seen Fear and Desire
Reckon it's a story about attraction, magnetism, electricity to/between ANO human (soul) who is outside of one's own family bubble. Which family bubble/work life is stifling cos of requirements to CONFORM to the EGO construct of assumed stereotype. In perpetuity. Forever. For life. I cud mention chakras and elevation .... But probly not the best place to do so. Performances by NK and HD were indeed electric and projected obsession on to the screen. Kudos. Deserves Oscar nominations.
First time here.
Subscribing bc I see a Gang of Four record on your wall:))
I liked the twist at the end with the dog being his, and then knowing that it was all a set up between Samuel and Esme. So Esme could get more control of the company.
We were trying to figure out who was in on it, besides the dog. We tried to make various combinations of the husband, Samuel, and Esme work. How would Esme have known about Romy's kink in order to be involved in setting her up with Samuel. My take was the husband hired Samuel, and maybe Esme got in on the act later. Who knows??
My take was that Samuel in the hotel room with the dog was what she was picturing/fantasising about in her head during sex with her husband, symbolising that she can be satisfied now by accepting and expressing all the things she needs. She doesn’t have to run off and watch porn after being with him, she can be with him and tap into those memories.
I loved it. They were both fantastic.
The dog at the end was metaphorical, no?
@@steves6142 the dog isn’t Samuel’s, the dogs owner grabs it after Samuel has calmed it down.
@@definatalieeewell yeah, but then he's seen with it at the end which then muddies the waters. Wasn't sure - like as above commented - whether it was meant to be taken literal or not but showing it as such gives the opposite impression.
saying Eyes Wide Shut is worse than Killer's Kiss or Fear and Desire is wild thing to say. I know it's divisive but It's not the worst
Eyes wide shut is a great movie one of Kubricks best.
@@seanjulian2071 It's in my top 3 Kubrick's filmography. It's more relevant today than any other movie, such a timeless masterpiece
it's a very good movie. enjoyed it from the 1st minute to the last. great acting.
The metatheatrical thread of ‘Hedda Gabler’ is significant, but ‘Babygirl’ is more Strindberg than Ibsen, the power shifts between Romy, Samuel and Esme being surprising and brilliantly modulated. The acting is extraordinary throughout and the film has a moving moment of tenderness as Kidman disrobes to stand like Botticelli’s Venus. The night shots of New York reminded me of ‘Blade Runner’, with one in particular of Kidman seen in an edifice at night through the window, and this may not merely be an impression as the theme of robots is explored (but not resolved) though more in the context of the massive networks of repression at work on Romy and by extension women of a certain age. The bedroom scenes with Jacob are revelatory, as Kidman twists and flutters like a trapped bird, stifled and claustrophobic, an object lesson for men to beware complacency and be alive to the signals. That ‘Babygirl’ is essentially a ‘comedie’ is refreshing, the usual tropes of the erotic thriller being eschewed for something more redemptive and celebratory. The film should win awards, but probably won’t.
ruclips.net/video/A2aJd2RahWg/видео.htmlsi=eOODCrv1Cu8bc1-c Well I’m glad to see that I was wrong on the last point!
Babygirl is a bit too much like 50 Shades, except it almost works. People who don't know about this fetish trying to write it. Which is almost okay, because the plot spells out, these characters are confused and don't know what they want. That's how you should write something if you dont know enough about it. And the plot flatlines at the end, but it's a commentary on society, so it's valid to say society is a bit confused. Basically. This is a slow burn art house film. If you're the type of person who sees A24 and knows what to expect. Go see it. It's fine.
Babygirl is a much better film if Romy’s line at the end about “if I want that kind of thing, I’ll pay for it” is actually a big fat hint that she *paid* Samuel to be on the internship programme, after seeing him control the dog in the street. So she’s really very much in control all along, and *not* just playing second fiddle (no pun intended) to her desires and a man who’s manipulating her through them.
Great review.
I find the pronounced thinness of the two principal characters to be extremely disconcerting. They both look like they could use a meal.
Interesting, and I'll see it Sunday. But Eyes wide Shut is a masterpiece, and Kubrick's very best!
I agree, I'm usually on the same page as Mark but can't go with him at all on EWS being his worst movie. I can understand people making a case for it to be put below 2001, Barry Lyndon, The Shining in particular but it's a bit of a stretch to say it's worse than Killer's Kiss or Fear and Desire
As Kermode says, it is Kubrick's worst movie.
I couldn't disagree more. It is a beautifully made film. I would love to revisit certain scenes that are just flawless. It is however, utterly hollow at its center. Psychologically and intellectually. The relationship between Kidman and Cruise beggars belief. That she could send him to the brink of despair by sharing the sexual fantasies she had of some stranger years prior almost made me spit out my popcorn! I left the cinema reeling with disbelief. Talk about a tempest in a teapot. I admire Kubrick immensely and felt extremely sad that he died so soon after its release.
it's actually a very subtle film and very few people notice the underlying message of child abduction and people selling their children into sex trafficking rings (prescient or maybe just aware of Epstein-esque occurrences). rewatch the end of the film and notice the daughter is subtly abducted by a member of the secret society, while the parents allow for it to happen. there's way more going on behind the surface - it's a completely different film to the one we thought on first watch
You've never been to a sex party, have you?
I completely agree with this review. I really enjoyed the film. It was about female sexual awakening - even for a woman in her 50s (how dare she). The two leads were excellent.
Just seen this, the bit when Nicole Kidmen drank milk from the dog bowl reminded me of when former MP George Galloway did the same on big brother and I had to laugh. Solid 2/10 film, i.e. absolute dogshit.
The Secretary could have been referenced as well
If this movie was about a guy everyone would be calling bullshit on it
there are such double standards - as Nicole Kidman's character is a woman it's seen as a bold exploration of sexuality but if it had been a man it would have been seen as simply an abuse of power, it wouldn't be seen as an interestingly complex film
@@achilpat3331 I'm willing to bet money that if it were a male CEO character who is also a submissive, the majority of comments would not be about abuse of power on his part, but rather of a more condescending, "what a pu**y" variety.
There are differences between male and female sexualities, you know.
Hopefully this adds to the discussion just by virtue of this fact. There is almost an 'acceptable fetishisation' to the age gap/abuse of power (both are at play with age gaps to varying degrees) when the woman is the older party. You see it in the way male SA victims are treated and even how they process the events themselves, and the reaction to older women getting involved with much younger men is often dismissed with 'well men do it all the time' as though thats not a criticism of men as well. True equality is accepting both are capable of abuses of power, inappropriate behaviour, rape etc.
Double standards are inherent in a patriarchy. As are certain power dynamics. Equality doesn't mean reciprocity.
It's almost as if her being an older woman is a pretty important aspect of the power dynamic that the film is displaying.
Saying that the film would be seen differently if you changed something integral isn't really a big revelation.
all I can say is would the director have used a plus size woman?
Excellent review 👏
Why does Kidman keep getting these films. Her face never moves 🙄
Because she’s a good actress, from a generation of actresses who were taught from childhood that unless they got Botox, they would look disgusting and never work in film again.
I've never been a fan tbh. Her ability to convey nuanced emotion is simply not there - it never was when her face was more flexible and not now. She's an odd case for sure.
@ she ruined The Northman for me 🙁
She was over 30 when Botox started.
@@martincraig153 indeed. some actors are getting it earlier nowadays to “freeze” their face how it was when it was young
An entire review just to put down Kubrick towards the end‽ Very clever, Mark.
Meant to be a psychological drama, apart from the director saying he wanted to make a 'sexy' movie.
@@ablacknambercat she! Director is female
A movie is what it is, not what a director “wanted it” to be. Also that can be interpreted different ways
@@hayley179g Oh for sure, however we do get to judge if the creator achieved the expresses result. This doesn't change the fact the finished product may be something else and a fine example of that something else. That's the beauty of creative process, it sometimes becomes it's own thing.
@@ablacknambercat Exactly that, but also sexy can mean different things, especially if the interview is awkward around sex or is using it imprecisely
@@ablacknambercat indeed
"Erotic drama". It's about as erotic as a cheese sandwich :-)
Yeah but does it have a cheeky wee Alan Cumming cameo in it !
Great to hear plaudits for Cristobal Tapia DeVeer. I've been a fan for a long time, and I feel he's not getting the recognition he deserves.
One layer deep. Boring. Only watchable because of it's decent performances. Misses the mark over and over, very explicitly at the end.
I'd watch this movie for Harris loved his acting
I didnt even know all black john kirwan reviewed movies, well done sir
Trust the process! 😊
I was hoping for a bit more of a bite with this film! Way less striking that piano teacher and much less fun than secretary. I did enjoy myself and I liked the performances but I left the cinema just feeling indifferent!
I thought the film was good. I thought a few of the choices weren’t very subtle.
I was also enjoying the scene about consent too where he’s trying to get her to vocalise what she wanted. I found it a weird choice to have him threaten to tell people at work about the dynamic…that felt a bit coercive.
I have been waiting for your take. Not smirking, but I thought Reijn played it too safe. I also disagree with your opinion on 9 1/2 Weeks, which I thought was a better, darker, and edgier film about this kind of subject matter. Agree 100% about Dickinson. He stole the show in every scene he was in and I could see him as a promising newcomer. I hope he gets better roles.
I thought Babygirl wasn't average/mid, not great, but not terrible. Certainly better than 50 Shades, that's for sure.
It was absolutely dreadful. Like ChatGTP was asked to write an “erotic” “thriller”. Scenes that lasted under 2 minutes, zero character development and the whole dynamic between them seemed to change every five minutes.
Eyes Wide Shut was better 🤷🏻♀️
The film was not an erotic thriller so you missed the whole point of it if you thought it was.
I'm one of the audiences who despised the film so much.
Its unfortunate this movie did not really resonate for me bc I really like listening to people discuss the balance of being an empowered woman who enjoys sexual domination. Someone said once, people engage in all kinds of things they would never really want to happen to them, like watching shows about the cartel or war, and that doesn't mean that those people don't respect themselves, so why does it mean that for women who engage in media about bdsm, or who enjoy fantasies in real life. I liked how Antonio Banderas was struggling to be aggressive and dominate with his wife because he respects her so much, he doesn't get off on belittling her, and he thinks that's how he should love her. But she is giving him permission to do these things, and he needs to meet her where she's at if he truly does care. But unfortunately this movie just did not work for me in general 😫 very boring imo
It's a stretch to call Eyes Wide Shut either erotic, or a thriller!
It’s definitely both, if would be more fair to call it unfinished. Or rather, the process of filming it was not… completed.
I notice that a lot of people in the comments do not respond to the film but rather whine a bit.... is there no opinion or do you all find it too exciting...?
I thought both performances were very good. Me and my (female) friends enjoyed it. Also enjoyed the soundtrack.
Someone who is able to figure out what another wants and become that person is a psychopath. The psychopath has no core identity ands needs the other to fill that void but ultimately ends up manipulating the other person to maintain and control the superficial relationship masquerading as a real relationship.
That coffee conversation is so believable...😂. What I hate about films like this is that they are targeted towards women and foisted on us as chick flicks or thing we want to see onscreen. It looks like trash.
Does it look like trash because it’s low quality, or because you think things targeting women about sex are trash?
Eyes wide shut should be viewed as an unfinished movie
I was surprised at how seriously the film dealt with the power dynamics within these relationships, and how it refused to come down conclusively on a moral related to all these goings on. Power is constantly shifting between parties, sometimes willingly, sometimes with a view toward achieving some personal gain. The idea that people embedded within a certain milieu or movement (e.g. strong female bosses) can find pleasure in living out fantasies which go against their desires for society as a whole is an idea that the film works through particularly well. It’s not a masterpiece. The Banderas character in particular needed more dimension. But I left feeling satisfied that the film contained a compelling and coherent narrative.
I think Kubrick’s worst film is clearly Full Metal Jacket. Eyes Wide Shut has been the subject of a critical reappraisal which I think it deserves. However, I find Kidman’s performance in the film somewhat problematic, to the point that I can’t help wincing at certain scenes that she’s in early on (even though I realize that she’s meant to represent some kind of subconscious oneiric terror for Cruise). Either way, it’s amazing how unwilling he was to compromise his vision, even if it meant that one of his films wouldn’t be appreciated for decades. No matter how successful he became he always walked the same tightrope when it came to his work.
Very interesting comment. You don't think Kubrick simply lost the plot with regard to EWS ? He had an idea, and a pair of ideal, married actors to play with, some great scenes to bandy about and then just end the whole shebang with the husband's almost nervous breakdown over his wife's imagined infidelity?? Did l miss something larger than life here??
Can anyone name a genuinely erotic film? - I don’t mean porn.
Body Heat
Carol
Roman Holiday
@ thanks
Carol is a great recommendation @@lorettanericcio-bohlman567
@@markphc99 unfaithful
I didn’t find it silly, I was mostly bored.
"He's reading the Bible!" was pretty silly.
"That's an outdated view of male sexuality!" or whatever the exact quote was, was also pretty silly :-)
But yeah, I was bored most of the time too.
Watched the movie last night and thought itbwas good. I thought Nicole Kidman's oerformance was excellent at showing the sexual frustrations and guilt of wanting more than just the usual sex.
There is in this country still a prudeness about nuditiy and sex, where any movie dealing with sexual activities makes people sit uncomfortable in their seats.
Found it boring people where laughing at the sex scenes can’t believe Kidman lowered herself to this !
I wasn't interested in this movie before and I'm definitely even less interested after watching this
Yeah a very mature drama - not for you x
@@LıǎmYeǎħ BDSM is not to everyone's taste. And frankly, there's nothing new or original about it as a concept. Maturity has little to do with it.
I found it totally boring, implausible and pedestrian. . The three main office based characters are all completely unlikeable. The “seduction” is laughable . The depiction of domination and submission is hilarious . They meet for their first tryst and she is told to get on all fours and stand in a corner . There is a hilarious scene where Romy sits on the bed and the Dom asks her to do something. I still cannot work out whether she is giggling out of nervousness and hence good acting or she is laughing at the preposterous scenario like most of the audience were. As for the sex scenes looking at Nicole Kidman’s face whilst she faked an orgasm might be erotic to some it is not a patch on listening to Jane Birkin on Je t’aime. But despite all of the above the bit I and the female friends found so implausible is that Romy the high flying , self made, successful career woman who has succeeded in the male corporate world is so utterly clueless at picking up and acting in the red flags given out by her lover . Imagine having an affair and your lover turns up at your house uninvited 3 times and you still don’t get the hint he might be a bunny boiler , I think not . I wouldn’t give it no stars as I didn’t walk out of the cinema although I was looking at my watch and waiting for it to finish with a lot less anticipation than Ms Kidman had .
Some bad acting in that scene. Very dull.
So, not very good then?
How is that your take away from the review?
it's a very good movie also because it moves away from the male gaze and there is a psycholigical and emotional evolvement. not for the easy thrill seekers
Hard disagree!
@@jamdrensefrenzy No
Just saw it. I was utterly bored after the first act.
Dreadful film, boring, films these days are all about trying to shock, tedious...longest 2hrs of my life
"He's reading the Bible!"
Decent movie ❤liked the sort twist at the end
What twist?
@missthea5259 that the dog was his....
@missthea5259 that the dog was his....
@@frankgeurts3912 I think that final scene was Romy fantasising about how she met Samuel and their first tryst in that hotel room in order to orgasm with her husband (Jacob) as they were recreating exactly what had happened in that hotel room. I don't think that scene was real. It was a fantasy. The whole film is about fantasy and kink afterall.
You saw Samuel hand the dog back to its owner after he calms it down in that initial scene. It's not his dog.
Well I won't be watching that then 😅
I'm tired of watching submissive women on screen, but rarely submissive men . Okay so this is written and directed by a woman, and the woman is the one in a more powerful position, but is it really saying anything new about female desire and bdsm? If not, I can't be bothered with this tired nonsense
Very easily one of the worst films this year
Completely unbelievable characters. No chemistry between the two leads, boring, joyless erotica between them. NK completely unconvincing as a CEO, never believed for a second she was a boss, overcostumed for a person who actually would be in that position, ridiculous ill-fitting wig. Faux vulnerability on display, no emotional depth. The only actor who looked like they could connect with a version of the dynamics in this film, was Antonio Banderas, but unfortunately the material was so juvenile. it sucked.
This was just ridiculous with neither main actors coming out with much merit.
Eyes wide shut was so much better.
Ive honestly never been sooo bored watching a movie. Walked out before last 30 mins. No chemistry between characters. Dont care about characters...just didnt care. Nothing gripping . Dull dull dull
Cheaters are scum.
It's rubbish. It would have been much better if the characters were poor...but then that would have taken much more thought.
Excellent review👍🏽