Babygirl

Who ordered hot sex for Christmas? "Body Heat," "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (the 1981 one), "9 1/2 Weeks," "Fatal Attraction," Steve McQueen's "Shame," and last year's "Sanctuary" are all films relating to sexual obsession, affairs, sexual kinks, and shame. You can now add "Babygirl" to this list of films. Starring Nicole Kidman, (who has been in some dreadful stuff this year - "A Family Affair" and "A Perfect Couple") has come out with a brave and powerhouse performance, standing right next to Demi Moore from "The Substance" (both nominated for Golden Globes and I think they should both win). Kidman plays Romy, a successful, high-powered, business woman who is married with two teenaged kids. She has an affair with a young intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). Romy likes to be told what to do - this is her fetish, her shame, this is what she has been hiding her whole life from her husband (Antonio Banderas). Written and directed by Halina Reijn, I felt like she has given a fresh voice to women and their sexuality - it's not just men who are weird. Like "The Substance," although not as direct, "Babygirl" also tackles what it is to be an aging woman in today's society. The film is a pretty wild and steamy ride - somewhat by the numbers if you have watched some or all of the films I mentioned at the beginning. However there is enough new and fresh material here, combined with Kidman's brave and powerful performance, and the fact that the film looks amazing - the dance club scene was a particular highlight for me - makes it worth your time. The whole movie feels like a pair of lacy undergarments and handcuffs left under the Christmas tree for viewing audiences. Catch it in theatres this holiday season.