Three Notable Female-Directed Films Shining a Light on Desire, Ageism, and Choices Made
By Gilda Baum-Lappe and Sandy Rodriguez
Stories featuring memorable female characters, especially when their narratives are brought to life by women directors, can be especially powerful. In this series of articles, we dive into three such films—The Substance, Babygirl, and The Last Showgirl. Whether through sci-fi, sensuality, or heartfelt emotion, these films show how women can command the screen in thought-provoking ways.
Golden Globes judge Gilda Baum-Lappe and Heart Of Hollywood Magazine editor Sandy Rodriguez offer their unique takes on each of these cinematic experiences.
BABYGIRL: Overwhelming Desires
big screen in a Babygirl, in which a powerful CEO jeopardizes her career and family for a passionate affair with an intern.
Costarring Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas, this film, set to a nostalgic ‘80s soundtrack featuring songs such as George Michael’s iconic Father Figure, is directed by Halina Reijn and portrays a woman’s sexuality. Golden Globes judge Gilda Baum-Lappe and this magazine’s editor Sandy Rodriguez discuss the film’s bold themes.
What was your emotional response to the movie, and why?
G: I’m loving that all these movies are directed by women! This film feels like a woman-to-woman conversation, honest and very graphic. One can imagine the struggles doing such explicit scenes might mean for an actress, but Nicole is always willing to push boundaries, to accept challenges, and to open up emotionally for such explicit scenes. The film rummages around desire, vulnerability, exploring sexuality, jealousy, instincts, fear, and laying down professional boundaries. It’s very daring and I was happy that now there’s more tolerance for this type of scenes. In the past, the movie would probably have received a more restrictive rating.
S: I’m deeply against ageism, so I loved that the film doesn’t shy away from presenting Nicole Kidman’s character as a person with intense sexual cravings involving power dynamics, even though she is no longer in her twenties or thirties.
Who would you recommend this movie to? Is there anyone you wouldn’t recommend it to?
G: Well, anyone who likes erotic thrillers would love this; there’s lust, style, and a stellar performance by Nicole Kidman. If you are accused of being prudish by your BFFs, try going to see it all by yourself, or even put on a costume. But go and enjoy. Why not? It’s kinky, but what’s wrong with that? There’s sexual exploration, the female drive for pleasure that even puts work stability at risk, an age gap could be acceptable, and well, Antonio Banderas, who will not necessarily win over the hot chick! (Wink! I’m kidding!)
S: This movie will definitely resonate more with Gen Xers and younger Boomer women than with any other demographic. The director mentioned that Babygirl was inspired by ‘90s movies in this genre, but it reminded me mostly of 1986’s Nine ½ Weeks, though with a modern twist. It’s a perfect choice for a girls’ night out—there’s plenty to talk about afterward.
What did you like most about
the movie?
G: For reasons that I can’t figure out yet, “babygirl” is a slang word that sometimes refers to an attractive man. Can you believe that? A man who is considered cute, sensitive and vulnerable. Maybe, is used in a humorous context, it could be used to describe a man who has none of those characteristics. And that might be the best way to describe the young intern in this movie, portrayed beautifully by Harry Dickinson, and not the distant, disconnected husband, the always well-liked Antonio Banderas. I think it’s fun to watch a super powerful woman forced to find her release by surrendering to repressed desires. There is tension, humor, and a subject matter that has changed the frequent nature of female roles.
S: The casting is excellent. It’s worth mentioning that although Nicole’s wardrobe was stunning, the characters looked reasonably natural and relatable. The dialogue and the way Nicole and her lover interact in the sex scenes are very believable.
What did you think of Nicole Kidman’s performance?
G: I think Nicole Kidman keeps surprising us and I love that she has not been afraid of aging, of letting herself be totally vulnerable, of accepting defiance, and of not being the entirely strong winner. She is caught letting her guard down, and she accepts. Nicole’s performance is perfect in every part of the role. She is almost undressing her soul at the same rhythm as her clothes come off. Nicole has been in several roles this year, each one different form the rest, and she completely transforms emotionally into this character. Perfection.
S: The scenes In which she shows excitement and vulnerability around Harris Dickinson were my favorites. She does not act like a confident sexual being, but rather shy and hesitant despite her overwhelming desires. I think this was a departure from the roles she normally plays, even though she has been paired up with younger men on screen before.
Was there any other actor whose performance stood out to you?
S: Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas were both fantastic. Harris was believable in his role and I loved his on-screen chemistry with Nicole. Antonio’s character was a sweetheart, which I think is also somewhat of a departure for him as an actor.
G: Ditto! I totally agree with Sandy. I don’t feel the need to add anything else here.
How did the movie leave you feeling?
G: I just felt that i saw a fun, sexy thriller. I didn’t feel like I did with other movies that actually affected me afterwards, for instance this year’s Maria, with Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, or Emilia Perez, another fabulous film with an all-female cast! We could talk about these movies in another story…
S: It left me feeling a mix of excitement and reflection. It’s a sexy thriller, but it also makes you think about the complexities of love, desire, and ambition.
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