ANORA - Movie Review

Summary

In this review, the speaker explores the latest film by director Sean Baker, *Anora*, highlighting Baker's distinctive style of portraying gritty yet compassionate stories. The film, about a sex worker in Brooklyn striving for the American Dream, is praised for its deep emotional layers, performances, and complex tonal shifts. Comparisons are made to classic films and to Baker’s past works like *Red Rocket* and *Tangerine*. While the film's ambition and glossy elements are noted, the reviewer emphasizes its emotional impact and compelling narrative, with a stunning final shot that leaves a lasting impression.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shawn Baker is praised as a filmmaker who finds beauty in gritty, often overlooked corners of society.
• 😀 *Anora* is considered more ambitious than Baker's previous works, with a broader, more mainstream appeal.
• 😀 The film explores themes of the American Dream through the lens of a sex worker, highlighting societal rejection and survival.
• 😀 Mikey Madison's performance as the protagonist is described as both intoxicating and vulnerable, embodying the film's emotional complexity.
• 😀 The movie blends tragedy with elements of screwball comedy, reminiscent of classic films like *His Girl Friday*.
• 😀 Baker is compared to Federico Fellini, with *Anora* evoking similarities to Fellini’s *Nights of Cabiria* due to its emotional depth and vulnerability.
• 😀 Despite the humor, the film’s central narrative is about a woman’s tragic journey toward idealism, which contrasts with her harsh reality.
• 😀 The film takes place over the span of a single night, layering in emotional depth and revealing character vulnerabilities slowly.
• 😀 Some tonal shifts, especially in the screwball comedy scenes, feel slightly forced and detract from the film’s authenticity.
• 😀 The review emphasizes the raw, naturalistic acting that Baker is known for, which adds to the film’s overall success.
• 😀 The final shot of the film is said to be emotionally devastating, comparable to impactful moments in classic cinema like *Nights of Cabiria*.

Q & A

What is the reviewer's opinion on Sean Baker as a filmmaker?

The reviewer deeply admires Sean Baker as a filmmaker, describing him as an artist who has created a series of 'instant classics,' with his most recent film, *Red Rocket*, potentially being a best-of-the-decade contender.

How does the reviewer describe Baker's approach to filmmaking?

The reviewer describes Baker as a poet who embraces gritty, dark, and overlooked aspects of society. Baker's characters are portrayed with empathy, focusing on their inner pain while capturing their survival instincts, even when they seem rough on the outside.

How does *Anora* differ from Baker's previous works?

While *Anora* shares some thematic elements with Baker's other films, the reviewer notes that it is more ambitious in its attempt to reach a broader, mainstream audience, possibly with more commercial appeal, which distinguishes it from his more independent works.

What is the central plot of *Anora*?

The film follows a sex worker in Brooklyn, played by Mikey Madison, who is entangled in a romance with a wealthy Russian businessman’s son. The story explores her struggles and the tragic pursuit of an unattainable American dream.

What comparison does the reviewer make between *Anora* and other classic films?

The reviewer compares *Anora* to *Nights of Cabiria* by Federico Fellini, emphasizing similarities in the central character’s journey and emotional depth. The film's blend of screwball comedy and tragedy also brings to mind classic American films like *His Girl Friday*.

What elements of *Anora* are reminiscent of classic American cinema?

The film incorporates elements of screwball comedy, reminiscent of 1930s and 1940s American cinema, with fast-paced, ping-pongy dialogue and an energy that recalls the works of filmmakers like Howard Hawks.

How does the reviewer feel about the emotional tone of *Anora*?

The reviewer praises the film for its emotional depth, describing it as radiant, valiant, and devastating. However, they also mention that the tonal shifts can feel a bit too glossy at times, missing some of the raw authenticity of Baker’s previous works.

What criticism does the reviewer offer about the character development in *Anora*?

While the reviewer appreciates the complexity of the character Anora, they suggest that the film could have benefited from more insight into her life, such as spending more time with her friends and co-workers. This would have helped deepen the emotional connection to her character, especially in the third act.

How does the film's ending affect the reviewer?

The reviewer is profoundly impacted by the film's ending, describing it as emotionally devastating. The final shot is particularly moving, reminding them of a similar emotional response they had to the conclusion of *Nights of Cabiria*.

Why does the reviewer recommend *Anora* despite some of its shortcomings?

The reviewer still highly recommends *Anora* for fans of Sean Baker, citing its emotional power, vibrant performances, and strong storytelling. Despite minor flaws, particularly in its shift towards a more commercial tone, the film resonates deeply and stands as one of the best of the year.