Podcast Summary: The Big Picture - "The Garbage Women Canon! Plus: 'Holland' and 'Kinda Pregnant.'"

Introduction

In the March 28, 2025 episode titled "The Garbage Women Canon! Plus: 'Holland' and 'Kinda Pregnant,'" hosts Amanda Dobbins and Yassi Salak delve into the realm of subpar direct-to-streaming movies starring some of the most celebrated actresses of our time. Breaking away from the usual presence of Sean Fennessey, Amanda takes center stage to explore what she terms the "Garbage Women Canon," a collection of films that, despite their star-studded casts, fall short in quality and execution.

Defining the Garbage Women Canon

Amanda introduces the concept of the "Garbage Women Canon" as a definitive list of mediocre or poorly crafted movies featuring prominent female leads. The criteria for inclusion are outlined as follows:

1. Direct-to-Streaming Releases: The films bypass traditional theatrical releases, often resulting in lower production values.
2. Star Power: Featuring acclaimed actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Amy Schumer, Reese Witherspoon, and others who have previously dominated box offices or earned critical acclaim.
3. Typical Tropes: Incorporation of common clichés like over-the-top wigs, lackluster dialogue, and predictable plotlines.

In-Depth Discussion of "Holland" ([04:30] - [20:44])

The conversation begins with an analysis of "Holland," a film starring Nicole Kidman, Matthew McFadyen, and Gael García Bernal. Directed by Mimi Cave, "Holland" is critiqued for its confusing narrative and underdeveloped characters.

• Plot and Setting: Set in Holland, Michigan, the movie revolves around Nicole Kidman's character, a Midwestern teacher suspecting her husband's infidelity. Amanda notes, "She has a lot of garbage women stuff defining what it is." ([06:23])

• Performance and Production Flaws: Despite Kidman's esteemed acting prowess, the film is marred by inconsistent accents and poorly executed wig designs. Yassi remarks, "Nicole Kidman's wig needs to be tried at the Hague... It's always, like, not sitting properly, very confusing." ([14:30])

• Narrative Issues: The movie suffers from unresolved plot points and abrupt character exits, leaving audiences disengaged. Amanda reflects, "It doesn't make a lot of sense. It was a hour and a half too long." ([12:30])

Analyzing "Kinda Pregnant" ([21:24] - [32:34])

Next, the hosts examine "Kinda Pregnant," an Amy Schumer-led comedy that attempts to blend body horror with humor.

• Concept and Humor: The film parodies pregnancy struggles, with Amy Schumer pretending to be pregnant to navigate societal pressures. Amanda praises, "I genuinely found it pretty funny." ([22:03])

• Performance and Cast: The inclusion of actors like Jillian Bell and Chris Redd adds comedic value, though some elements feel derivative of classics like "Bridesmaids." Yassi comments, "It's like ripping off Melissa McCarthy's performance." ([24:11])

• Themes and Execution: While aiming to address the real-life anxieties of pregnancy, the movie balances broad comedy with specific, relatable jokes. Amanda notes, "It marries what Amy Schumer does pretty well, mocking the worst parts of being a woman." ([22:18])

Other Eligible Films Discussed

The discussion extends to several other films that meet the "Garbage Women Canon" criteria:

• "A Family Affair" ([35:00] - [47:44]): Featuring Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron, this Netflix release is critiqued for its disjointed plot and overuse of stereotypical tropes. Quotes include:

  • Yassi: "What's happening here with your wig?" ([36:06])
  • Amanda: "It's about both of them, but the writing is bad, the dialogue is bad." ([47:36])

• "Let Them All Talk" ([57:07] - [58:33]): Starring Meryl Streep and Candice Bergen, Amanda and Yassi debate its inclusion, with Amanda ultimately conceding its quality:

  • Yassi: "It's way too good to be in this canon." ([57:51])
  • Amanda: "It's really good. Steven Soderbergh directed this." ([58:22])

• "Lonely Planet" ([52:02] - [75:12]): Featuring Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth, the film is criticized for its implausible plot and inconsistent character development. Notable remarks:

  • Amanda: "Everything about it is so preposterous." ([53:09])
  • Yassi: "It's an actual proper good movie and doesn't belong here." ([77:00])

• "Shotgun Wedding" ([79:11] - [86:35]): A Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel pairing is dissected for its lackluster chemistry and predictable storyline:

  • Amanda: "There's no chemistry between the people, even though they're very funny on their own." ([50:33])
  • Yassi: "It's just a broad comedy that anyone should be able to watch and enjoy." ([85:10])

Insights on Production and Common Tropes ([14:30] - [38:36])

A recurring theme in the discussion is the excessive use of wigs and makeup, particularly for actresses like Nicole Kidman, which detracts from their performances. Amanda and Yassi explore how budget constraints and lack of technological knowledge contribute to these issues.

• Wig and Makeup Critique: Yassi emphasizes, "Nicole Kidman wears a wig in every production, why don't they have a good wig?" ([15:55])

• Set and Wardrobe Choices: The hosts also touch upon unrealistic set designs and wardrobe selections that fail to resonate authentically with the characters' lifestyles.

Debating the Quality of Garbage Women Movies ([32:34] - [92:45])

Amanda and Yassi engage in a nuanced debate about whether "Garbage Women" movies can transcend their category and offer genuine value.

• Potential for Goodness: Amanda asserts, "They can be enjoyable and well-crafted, but they can't be like Nora Ephron movies." ([33:01])

• Embracing Mediocrity: Yassi contends that some films may unexpectedly defy expectations, as seen with "Let Them All Talk," prompting Amanda to acknowledge, "I think that's it counts." ([57:08])

• Personal Preferences: The hosts share personal viewing habits, with Yassi favoring garbage television like "Grey's Anatomy" and Amanda expressing a desire to balance her preferences with quality cinema.

Concluding Thoughts ([93:00] - End)

As the episode wraps up, Amanda and Yassi reflect on the exercise of categorizing these films, highlighting the complexity and subjectivity involved in defining "Garbage Women Canon."

• Final Reflections: Yassi humorously states, "I don't want to do this again," while Amanda appreciates the camaraderie and shared insights, emphasizing, "We have room for all the really good movies." ([86:00]-[88:00])

• Inclusivity of Taste: The hosts conclude on a positive note, recognizing that while their tastes may align toward different spectrums of film quality, there's value in discussing and critiquing a diverse range of movies.

Notable Quotes

• Amanda Dobbins: "She is one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation. She deserves several more Oscars." ([04:44])
• Yassi Salak: "If you're deep in your real faves, then you miss something. And I did have to like back 10 a few times." ([35:54])
• Amanda Dobbins: "Garbage Women movies can be good, they can be enjoyable and well-crafted." ([32:39])
• Yassi Salak: "Maybe it's a feminist trend, but pushing women to date younger men feels like a fetish." ([69:11])

Conclusion

This episode of "The Big Picture" offers a candid and entertaining exploration of the so-called "Garbage Women Canon," blending critical analysis with humorous banter. Amanda and Yassi provide listeners with a comprehensive look at how even the most talented actresses can sometimes be ensnared in less-than-stellar cinematic projects, all while maintaining a lighthearted and engaging conversation.