Nicole Kidman’s Erotic Film ‘Babygirl’ Stomps All Over Angelina Jolie’s Biopic Movie ‘Maria’ and Not Even Latter’s Oscar-buzz Came to its Rescue
- Nicole Kidman's 'Babygirl' and Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' are about to clash soon.
- Critics are praising Kidman's performance and 'Babygirl's complex but precise storytelling.
- While Jolie's performance is lauded, 'Maria's overall reception is lukewarm.
Two of Hollywood’s all-time great actresses, Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie, will soon be going head-to-head. Their upcoming films, Babygirl, and Maria, recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and it sparked a competition between the Oscar-winning actresses.
Kidman’s Babygirl is an erotic thriller that has got everyone talking. It is steamy, daring, and it is pushing boundaries. On the other hand, Jolie’s Maria is a biopic about the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, and it is usually observed that such roles often land an Oscar for the actors.
Early Reviews and Reception of Nicole Kidman’s Babygirl
Babygirl is not just an average film about office romance. The film is directed by Halina Reijn and stars Nicole Kidman as a powerful CEO named Romy. She starts an extramarital affair with a young intern played by Harris Dickinson, and Antonio Banderas will be playing Kidman’s husband.
But it is not a typical love triangle sort of movie. The film exposes the messier and awkward reality of infidelity. Kidman’s character is not just a powerful businesswoman. She has a troubled past and bizarre desires that add to the film’s complexity.
The early reviews of Babygirl have been great so far. Kidman’s performance is being applauded by many, as the BBC calls it her “bravest and best performance in quite some time.” According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics are rating the movie at 91% and praising the movie for exploring the reality behind the glamour.
Some critics are parsing the film for showing the importance of self-love and being vulnerable at times. Reijn is applauded for having a clear perspective and vision for the purpose of the film, as the story would have felt lost if it explored the erotic aspects just for the sake of it.
Apart from Kidman. Dickinson’s performance is also getting much respect from critics for maintaining the required chemistry with the veteran actress. During the premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Deadline reported that Babygirl received a 7-minute standing ovation.
Angelina Jolie’s Maria Fails to Impress the Critics
Initially, Maria looked like it had everything that would lead to success. Angelina Jolie is playing the lead role of Maria Callas, and Pablo Larraín is directing it, who has biopics like Jackie and Spencer in his resume.
After Maria‘s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Jolie’s performance is getting some praise. But the critics don’t seem too impressed with the overall story and direction. The Hollywood Reporter describes Maria as “a glittering jewel in a glass showcase, inviting you to look but not touch.”
That is just a polite way of saying it is pretty to look at but lacks depth. Variety praises Jolie’s acting, saying she “reminds you that she can be a deadly serious actor of commanding subtlety and power.” But they also wish the film had found “a greater vulnerability” in Callas.
According to the BBC, there is “no urgency to Maria,” calling it “witty and beautiful, but this Callas is an icon rather than a human being, and some scenes are less opera than soap opera.” The film has received 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is significantly less than Babygirl.
However, NBC News reported that the film received an 8-minute standing ovation at Venice, which made Jolie quite emotional. Some are hoping that this might be another chance at Oscar for her. Jolie is earning praise for portraying vulnerability and power. Her stage presence, especially in the singing scenes, is gaining much love from the critics.
However, even with Jolie’s stardom and her Oscar buzz, Maria just can’t seem to outshine Babygirl. Kidman’s raw, daring performance and Reijn’s fresh take on the erotic thriller genre are apparently stealing most of the appreciation. However, only time will tell which film gets most of the love from the audience.
Babygirl will be released in theaters on December 25, 2024.
Maria will be released on Netflix at a date to be determined.
