Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Baby Girl" Episode Summary

Episode Title: Babygirl
Release Date: December 26, 2024
Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR
Hosts: Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Aisha Harris
Co-Hosts: Aisha Harris

1. Introduction & Overview

In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris delve into the intricacies of the newly released film "Baby Girl." Directed and written by Halina Raine, known for "Bodies, Bodies, Bodies," the film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy, a high-powered CEO, and Harris Dickinson as Samuel, a mysterious intern whose affair with Romy sets off a cascade of ethical and personal dilemmas. The movie is marketed as an erotic thriller but provokes discussions that extend beyond traditional genre boundaries.

2. First Impressions

Stephen Thompson opens the discussion by summarizing the film's premise:

“In the opening moments of Baby Girl, a tech CEO named Romy is having passionate sex with her husband... but things aren't quite right.” (03:20)

He highlights the immediate tension introduced by Romy's dissatisfaction in her marriage and the ensuing affair with Samuel. Linda Holmes responds positively to the film, praising the lead performances and the exploration of power dynamics:

“I mostly thought this was a good movie. It benefits a lot from good lead performances.” (06:12)

Meanwhile, Aisha Harris shares her mixed reactions, noting the film's heavy sexual content and its impact on different audience demographics:

“Some audience members in mine seemed a little bit younger... a lot of younger people have lately, at least online, been kvetching about there being too much sex.” (08:14)

3. Themes and Analysis

Power Dynamics and Ethical Boundaries:
Linda delves into the central theme of power imbalance between Romy (the CEO) and Samuel (the intern), emphasizing both capital "P" power (corporate hierarchy) and lowercase "p" power (personal dominance and submission). She observes:

“There's an issue of the difference between her enjoying a submissive relationship with him, but also her wanting to be able to say, here are the boundaries...” (06:45)

Shame and Vulnerability:
Linda further explores Romy's internal struggle with shame surrounding her desires, which hinders her from communicating effectively with her husband:

“She is deeply ashamed of these feelings and these desires... she tries to ignore it.” (12:40)

Aisha’s Perspective on Power and Shame:
Aisha agrees with Linda, emphasizing the destructive role of shame:

“The shame aspect of it is the part for me that really clicks in this movie... holds her back the most from handling this preference in a healthier way.” (18:35)

Consent and Coercion:
Stephen raises concerns about a particular scene that blurs the lines of consent, describing it as:

“One of the most coercive conversations I have seen in TV or movies about consent.” (11:22)

He criticizes the portrayal of consent, feeling it was handled unethically and unsettlingly.

4. Characters and Performances

Romy (Nicole Kidman):
Linda appreciates Kidman's portrayal, noting her depth in expressing the character's internal conflict:

“Romy... she's been deeply ashamed of her desires... trying to ignore it makes her vulnerable.” (12:40)

Aisha commends Kidman’s performance in a pivotal scene:

“Nicole Kidman at her acting height peak... she is firing on all cylinders here.” (14:45)

Samuel (Harris Dickinson):
The hosts discuss Samuel's ambiguous nature, with Aisha highlighting his inconsistent behavior:

“He's not that fascinating... sometimes menacing, but also kind of a doofus.” (20:11)

Linda points out the complexity of his character, balancing menace with moments of simplicity:

“He listens to her and kind of tries to get a feel for what's going on.” (20:35)

Esme (Sophie Wilde):
Esme, Romy's assistant, is briefly touched upon. Aisha finds her role underdeveloped:

“Esme... trying to get her promotion... doesn't quite play out as expected.” (14:45)

5. Ethical Considerations and Controversial Elements

Ambiguity in Power Dynamics:
The hosts debate whether the film effectively portrays the ethical nightmares of a workplace affair, especially given Romy’s authoritative position. Stephen expresses frustration over the lack of healthy communication:

“These people have reached the ages they have and not ever had a conversation about what they want.” (10:48)

Shame as a Double-Edged Sword:
Linda and Aisha discuss how Romy's shame not only affects her personal decisions but also her ability to uphold professional boundaries. They acknowledge the film's attempt to depict the toxic effects of internalized shame on personal and professional life.

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Balanced Perspective:
Linda concludes that while the film navigates ethically gray areas without clear judgments, it effectively portrays the protagonist's internal and external conflicts:

“It's very clear that this is an offense against her marriage. And it's very clear that this is inappropriate because she's the boss.” (17:31)

Mixed Reception of the Ending:
Both hosts express ambivalence about the film's resolution. Aisha felt the ending left too many loose ends, questioning whether it represented genuine progress or a lackluster conclusion:

“I felt the ending, it leaves a lot of ends... It didn't connect for me.” (16:38)

Stephen reflects on the film's ambiguity, suggesting that audience reactions will vary widely based on personal interpretations of its themes:

“This movie is messy. And I think that's what I admire most about it.” (21:32)

Overall Assessment:
The hosts agree that "Baby Girl" is a thought-provoking film that challenges viewers to grapple with complex issues of power, consent, and personal shame. While opinions on its execution vary, the film's strong performances and willingness to explore uncomfortable themes make it a significant addition to contemporary cinema.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stephen Thompson:
  “Supporting public radio is a great way to express your values.” (00:49)
  “This entire film unravels if anybody just has a conversation.” (10:49)
  “It's a Christmas movie. Like Die Hard.” (22:58)

• Linda Holmes:
  “I don't think the movie comes to a lot of conclusions about, you know, who is right and who is wrong.” (07:46)
  “Shame is the thing that is the most toxic for her.” (17:31)

• Aisha Harris:
  “It's hard for me to take too seriously.” (08:31)
  “It's a movie where I think they're really just positing the existence of this woman and her experience.” (17:53)

Final Remarks

The episode offers a deep dive into "Baby Girl," dissecting its portrayal of complex relationships and ethical ambiguities. The hosts bring forward diverse perspectives, enriching the conversation around the film's thematic intentions and its reception among different audiences. Whether viewed as a provocative exploration of power and shame or critiqued for its handling of consent and character development, "Baby Girl" stands out as a conversation starter in the realm of modern erotic thrillers.

For those interested in exploring the film's themes further, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with the movie directly and join the broader conversation on their social media platforms.

This summary captures the essence of the December 26, 2024 episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour discussing the film Baby Girl. For more insights and discussions, tune into NPR's podcast series.