Warning: Spoilers ahead.
But, boy, it made me feel good.
In other words, our heroine is a bad, bad babygirl.
Niko Tavernise
You moralists will be glad to know she doesnt get away scot-free with her transgressions.
She suffers from deep emotional conflict and the real threat of losing everything dear to her.
This, I believe, is a small triumph of modern cinema.
Romy (Nicole Kidman) chooses to act out her BDSM fantasies with Samuel (Harris Dickenson), a young stud—who happens to be her intern.
(More of what I have to say about thathere.)
I think Kidman deserves an Oscar for those scenes alone.)
Id say it doesnt matterbecause shes exquisitely capable of conveying that.
I dont knowhowshe does it; maybe its one of the qualities of a great actress?
And as for that deep, uncontrolled feeling, the sexual desire.
How refreshing it is to watch a middle-aged, likely post-menopausal woman still animated by lust.
Especially when weve been inundated by warnings, incessant and unnerving, aboutperi-and postmenopausal angstand physical decay.
Romys passion belies those messages: Not dead yet!
She has tried, awkwardly, to get him to act them out.
he tells her).
And sounbeknownst to himhes never satisfied her.
Romy, olderand now wisergrabs it.
And self-recognition: She has paid for it.
In the final scene, what a gratified husband he is, holding the key to her satisfaction.
Its a welcome ending, and, as that last close-up implies, a very happy ending.
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