Thanks for the review. Like other women my age, I was repulsed by the idea behind the movie but your spoilers have helped me see beyond the voyeurism. Men in the same position (almost) never pay the price for such actions- it’s great to know that she doesn’t either. We need more true portrayals of women in power and from what you’ve shared, this film sounds true. Though I’m not sure I want to watch a 3 minute orgasm, I agree that it’s good to see this portrayed in a woman my age. Damn tired of seeing old men do what they want.
And goodness, what courage to be filmed like that! THAT is power!
The discourse surrounding Nicole Kidman has reached an absurd pinnacle of superficiality.
And, it just so happens I was thinking about Nicole Kidman's face the other day (ahem), the way you might think about a painting you've seen too many times in a museum. You know the type – the ones where everyone crowds around, squinting and tilting their heads, convinced they've spotted something no one else has noticed. It's funny how we've all become amateur dermatologists, really. I imagine these critics at home, perhaps wearing their reading glasses and peering at high-definition screenshots, like they're studying ancient manuscripts for hidden messages in her forehead.
Meanwhile, there she is in "Lioness" the television series, moving through the shadowy world of CIA operations like someone who actually knows the weight of national secrets. She plays Kaitlyn Meade – and I can't help but wonder if somewhere there's a real Kaitlyn Meade watching this show in a secure location, maybe with a cup of coffee gone cold on her desk, thinking how strange it is to see her profession turned into evening entertainment. The way Kidman does it, though, every micro-expression feels like a carefully guarded file folder, each tight-lipped smile a redacted document. It's rather like watching someone play chess while everyone else is counting how many times they blink.
I particularly enjoy the scenes where she has to maintain that perfect CIA composure – you know, the kind that makes you wonder if spies have special training in how to sip coffee without leaving lipstick marks on the cup. She moves through the halls of power like someone who knows where all the surveillance cameras are, while viewers at home pause their screens to debate whether her forehead moved during that last dramatic moment. It's rather like watching a master magician and spending the whole time trying to figure out what kind of sleeve they're wearing, when the real trick is happening right before our eyes: the way she transforms into this complex woman who holds the fate of operatives in her perfectly manicured hands. I wonder if somewhere, in some parallel universe, there's a Nicole Kidman watching a show about all of us, puzzling over our strange obsession with her face, while her cat sleeps peacefully in her lap, completely unimpressed by the whole thing – though I imagine even the cat would have to admit she's rather good at playing a spy.
"It's rather like watching a master magician and spending the whole time trying to figure out what kind of sleeve they're wearing, when the real trick is happening right before our eyes: the way she transforms into this complex woman who holds the fate of operatives in her perfectly manicured hands." PERFECT.
Romy, slick as glass, glides through her life of perfect edges—CEO by day, mother by apron-clad night. But beneath the sheen, something feral stirs, a body longing to be undone. She meets her undoing in Samuel, a stranger with a firm hand and eyes that say, come apart for me. And she does. On all fours, she finds a darker hymn, a psalm of submission, her limbs singing an ache too long ignored.
But this isn’t salvation; it’s a small death wrapped in silk and leash. Romy’s power—her empire of robotics, her bulletproof lipstick—is stripped bare, leaving her raw and vulnerable, a wound that can’t heal.
Halina Reijn presses her lens into the softest parts of Romy, into the tightrope of being woman and body, control and surrender. Yet even in her fall, Romy’s world remains narrow, as if the bars of her cage were painted gold to soothe her. Is this freedom? Or just another story told to keep her bound?
The last film I saw with Nicole Kidman, I was mesmerized by her face. I understand the pressure - to do whatever it takes to look young - if your work depends on it, but it's too distracting for me.
I find myself looking for traces/moments in her films when I can see the aging process in her face, just to normalize her a bit -- it can be found if you look! I really do like her though, as a true movie star. I also find that she chooses roles and screenplays extremely well, and she is incredibly talented and very often mesmerizing. With some exceptions, I feel I have been and will continue to be highly riveted and entertained by her films. Looking forward to watching Babygirl in the comfort of our own bedroom ; )
Honestly, ugh. I haven't seen it, and don't want to. But the whole "powerful woman needs to be punished and dominated" thing is such a turn-off to me. It feels so backlash-throwback-y. But thanks to your descriptions, I see that the writers tried to accommodate these feelings (she gets to stay with her husband in the end, and he gets fired, the reversal of what usually happens.) But it seems to me that all the sex on screen is just ticket-bait. .
Barbara, ticket-bait for sure. It's not an art-house thing (as I think I've heard it described). And the director seems to want to keep making the point in interviews that many women aren't able to orgasm, and are secretive about it, so she wanted to bring that into the light. That point wasn't forefront to me, at all, in the movie. (Lost behind all the power/sex stuff.) I'd love to read what you have to say about it. xo
What a find you are @Valerie Monroe! Thank you! At 65 my career is just beginning and I sure needed to know courage is still strong in the female body at any age. You have to will it❤️🔥
Thanks for the review. Like other women my age, I was repulsed by the idea behind the movie but your spoilers have helped me see beyond the voyeurism. Men in the same position (almost) never pay the price for such actions- it’s great to know that she doesn’t either. We need more true portrayals of women in power and from what you’ve shared, this film sounds true. Though I’m not sure I want to watch a 3 minute orgasm, I agree that it’s good to see this portrayed in a woman my age. Damn tired of seeing old men do what they want.
And goodness, what courage to be filmed like that! THAT is power!
I better watch this!
Jan -- well, I'm not sure it's a full three minutes...but I take your point! xo
The discourse surrounding Nicole Kidman has reached an absurd pinnacle of superficiality.
And, it just so happens I was thinking about Nicole Kidman's face the other day (ahem), the way you might think about a painting you've seen too many times in a museum. You know the type – the ones where everyone crowds around, squinting and tilting their heads, convinced they've spotted something no one else has noticed. It's funny how we've all become amateur dermatologists, really. I imagine these critics at home, perhaps wearing their reading glasses and peering at high-definition screenshots, like they're studying ancient manuscripts for hidden messages in her forehead.
Meanwhile, there she is in "Lioness" the television series, moving through the shadowy world of CIA operations like someone who actually knows the weight of national secrets. She plays Kaitlyn Meade – and I can't help but wonder if somewhere there's a real Kaitlyn Meade watching this show in a secure location, maybe with a cup of coffee gone cold on her desk, thinking how strange it is to see her profession turned into evening entertainment. The way Kidman does it, though, every micro-expression feels like a carefully guarded file folder, each tight-lipped smile a redacted document. It's rather like watching someone play chess while everyone else is counting how many times they blink.
I particularly enjoy the scenes where she has to maintain that perfect CIA composure – you know, the kind that makes you wonder if spies have special training in how to sip coffee without leaving lipstick marks on the cup. She moves through the halls of power like someone who knows where all the surveillance cameras are, while viewers at home pause their screens to debate whether her forehead moved during that last dramatic moment. It's rather like watching a master magician and spending the whole time trying to figure out what kind of sleeve they're wearing, when the real trick is happening right before our eyes: the way she transforms into this complex woman who holds the fate of operatives in her perfectly manicured hands. I wonder if somewhere, in some parallel universe, there's a Nicole Kidman watching a show about all of us, puzzling over our strange obsession with her face, while her cat sleeps peacefully in her lap, completely unimpressed by the whole thing – though I imagine even the cat would have to admit she's rather good at playing a spy.
"It's rather like watching a master magician and spending the whole time trying to figure out what kind of sleeve they're wearing, when the real trick is happening right before our eyes: the way she transforms into this complex woman who holds the fate of operatives in her perfectly manicured hands." PERFECT.
My 56- year old self will absolutely not be running to see this.
🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏽♀️😍😍😍
Kirsten, maybe you'd prefer one of my favorite movies of all time, Birdcage (the Mike Nichols one)? xo
Oh, I hope my sarcasm came through. Although I might have to wait for it to be something I can watch at home. 😜
great casting (Baranski, Hackman) great writing...many viewings 🤣
movies like that and "Meet the Fokkers" are pure relief from this suffocating oppressive new reality 👹
and a reminder that there is much living beyond one's prime 😊
The OG French one is fabulous too, but doesn't have Robin Williams channeling Martha, Merce, and Twyla, and Fosse, Fosse, Fosse.
Robin’s last day on this earth is a personal day of mourning for me. I adore him and Nathan. 💞💞
I knew it: Sistahs under the skin. xo
Romy, slick as glass, glides through her life of perfect edges—CEO by day, mother by apron-clad night. But beneath the sheen, something feral stirs, a body longing to be undone. She meets her undoing in Samuel, a stranger with a firm hand and eyes that say, come apart for me. And she does. On all fours, she finds a darker hymn, a psalm of submission, her limbs singing an ache too long ignored.
But this isn’t salvation; it’s a small death wrapped in silk and leash. Romy’s power—her empire of robotics, her bulletproof lipstick—is stripped bare, leaving her raw and vulnerable, a wound that can’t heal.
Halina Reijn presses her lens into the softest parts of Romy, into the tightrope of being woman and body, control and surrender. Yet even in her fall, Romy’s world remains narrow, as if the bars of her cage were painted gold to soothe her. Is this freedom? Or just another story told to keep her bound?
Fucking poetic. Thanks, Gloria! xo
The last film I saw with Nicole Kidman, I was mesmerized by her face. I understand the pressure - to do whatever it takes to look young - if your work depends on it, but it's too distracting for me.
Julie, I agree it is often distracting; I guess I also find it kind of interesting...xo
I find myself looking for traces/moments in her films when I can see the aging process in her face, just to normalize her a bit -- it can be found if you look! I really do like her though, as a true movie star. I also find that she chooses roles and screenplays extremely well, and she is incredibly talented and very often mesmerizing. With some exceptions, I feel I have been and will continue to be highly riveted and entertained by her films. Looking forward to watching Babygirl in the comfort of our own bedroom ; )
Mary -- totally agree about the roles she chooses; and I hope you enjoy the movie in your own comfortable space! xo
Honestly, ugh. I haven't seen it, and don't want to. But the whole "powerful woman needs to be punished and dominated" thing is such a turn-off to me. It feels so backlash-throwback-y. But thanks to your descriptions, I see that the writers tried to accommodate these feelings (she gets to stay with her husband in the end, and he gets fired, the reversal of what usually happens.) But it seems to me that all the sex on screen is just ticket-bait. .
Barbara, ticket-bait for sure. It's not an art-house thing (as I think I've heard it described). And the director seems to want to keep making the point in interviews that many women aren't able to orgasm, and are secretive about it, so she wanted to bring that into the light. That point wasn't forefront to me, at all, in the movie. (Lost behind all the power/sex stuff.) I'd love to read what you have to say about it. xo
"(Also, to you un-merry ones.)"
♥♥♥♥
xoxoxo
Love this review Val, thanks for sharing. I don't live near a theatre so appreciate getting the scoop on one of the hottest movies of the year.
Donna, thanks; hope it'll be streaming soon. xo
Can’t read! Hoping to go—if I can get out from under the kids!
Why can't you read it? You mean you don't want the spoilers, I hope? xo
What a find you are @Valerie Monroe! Thank you! At 65 my career is just beginning and I sure needed to know courage is still strong in the female body at any age. You have to will it❤️🔥
Lee, how glad I am that you're enjoying HNTFUYF! And I'm sending you best wishes for your budding career! xo
Lovely
Thank you, Paolo! xo
FELICES UN PEPUEÑO ALIVIO
GRACIAS A LITTLE ORBASMIC
FELICES