Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Director Sean Baker returns with another fascinating character study. He gives us Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn. When Vanya, the son of a Russian oligarch, visits her at the club, the two develop a unique arrangement. As the two spend more time together, they develop feelings for one another. They quickly decide to get married so that Vanya may remain in the United States. But once his parents hear about the marriage, they will stop at nothing to get it annulled. Will Anora finally catch her break?
Positives:
I didn’t know what to expect from “Anora”. The premise didn’t grab me in a way to develop much excitement, but the buzz surrounding it was intriguing. The film tells a story that takes some familiar themes from classic romance stories but turns them on their head for a real, personal character study. “Anora” is a film that has excellent craft and a constantly unpredictable side. The first hour of the film sets up a grungy Cinderella story that has hints of devastation. But what follows is a wild ride through the night, as she is caught in-between a feud between Vanya and his family. The film has many layers to it, where audiences are peeling them back as the story unfolds. Who we might perceive as a jerk at first might have some hidden characteristics to their personality beneath the surface. There are also characters that seem appealing at first who end up losing credibility as the story goes on. By the end, I was perplexed by the events that had taken place but the rare sense of intrigue made them stronger. The longer I thought about the film the more I enjoyed it. Credit to Sean Baker for crafting a film with a punch so strong that it lasted long after the credits.
The performances are the aspect that will blow audiences away during the awards season. As expected, Mikey Madison crafts the character of Anora with such commitment. What’s interesting is that this seems to be the performance that is getting her the most praise, but I’d argue that “Scream” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” channeled the same kind of unhinged energy that we see here. The rest of the Russian cast does exceptional work as well. Mark Eydelshteyn is excellent as Vanya, portraying the entitled delinquent side of the character while also creating a sense of flawed existence within his family. Karren Karagulian does nice work as Toros, Vanya’s guardian. The constant stress he expresses trying to find Vanya and fix this mess is very compelling. But the most surprising performance of the movie comes from Yura Borisov as Igor. He is the one voice of reason throughout the entire story, someone who treats Anora nicely no matter the circumstance. His dynamic with her is often contentious but humorous. His restrained performance gives the film some levity while also revealing him to be one of the film’s most insightful characters. Baker’s screenplay is the reason these characters work. They are in a dreary, unpredictable world that is all about self interest. But the strong character dynamics and unique premise make it all work.
Negatives:
“Anora” is a film that often subverts expectations within a story that seems formulaic on the surface. While it is often impressive, it’s not a film that I can see myself rewatching. Due to the long runtime and exhausting subject matter, the film is likely a one time watch for me. It will likely resonate with the indie diehards and those who have championed Baker’s films in the past. While the pacing is actually quite effective, there were certain moments that lingered on too long. There were certain dialogue exchanges that sat in the moment too long and hindered the fast paced nature of other events happening. I believe this was intentional to create some levity in-between the harsher exchanges but it felt jarring at times. The ending is also an area where I could see some division. It took me a few minutes to wrap my head around what had happened but I ultimately believe it is a satisfying conclusion to the story. It’s certainly unique but I could see audiences being perplexed by such a conclusion after such a long runtime.
Conclusion:
“Anora” is sure to be an awards frontrunner. The performances, screenplay, and unique premise help the film feel like an experience worth having. While certain scenes go on too long and the rewatch value is low, the film’s craft is undeniable. Check it out for a story that puts a twist on familiar themes, doing something wildly different and timely. It won’t be for everyone but I can imagine the right audience will eat this up.
