Review: Sean Baker’s freewheeling ‘Anora’ is a stripper’s fairy tale crashing to Earth
As someone who has spent a good part of my life observing and navigating the complexities of class, privilege, and the human spirit, I must say that “Anora” is a cinematic gem that truly resonates with me. The film masterfully weaves together the allure of fairy tales and the harsh realities of life, creating a unique blend that feels both familiar and fresh.
In a manner reminiscent of countless fairy tales, “Anora” commences with a young woman who’s overlooked in her ordinary existence but possesses extraordinary worth. This unassuming heroine encounters a charming mentor and embarks on an enchanting journey that leads to the land of Ever After Bliss.
Friend: “You remind me so much of Cinderella!
In the film “Anora,” penned and helmed by Sean Baker, who has demonstrated a keen insight into the struggles of those less fortunate through movies such as “The Florida Project” and “Tangerine,” our version of Cinderella is a stripper residing in Brooklyn. Her Prince Charming, however, is not your typical fairytale hero: he’s the well-heeled offspring of a Russian oligarch, boasting both wealth and intimate knowledge about procuring high-quality ketamine in Las Vegas.
With this telling, it’s out with the glass slipper, in with the glass bong.
In essence, wrapping up this tale with an assurance of eternal bliss could be tricky, and it’s in these intricacies where the joy and extravagance of this vibrant, benevolent screwball journey unfold. If you’re from a particular era, you might even label the film “madcap.” However, its power resides in Baker’s meticulous handling of the narrative. “Anora,” which clinched the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year, is undoubtedly his finest work to date.
In the movie, Ani (Mikey Madison), who goes by that name instead of her formal one from the title, encounters Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn) at her strip club. Her manager connects them because Ivan requested a Russian-speaking private dancer. Although Ani is Uzbek American and understands Russian thanks to her grandmother, she’s not particularly fluent. She’s more known for her friendliness and flirting abilities than her language skills. Ivan quickly shows interest in whether she performs outside the club. Indeed, she does, and it doesn’t take long before she’s visiting his mansion in Brighton Beach.
After your initial interaction, Ani informs him that he has 45 more minutes on the time he purchased, which amounts to an hour in total.
It was mentioned that Ivan was enthusiastic, with a hint of recklessness, but at the same time, he had an endearing youthful allure. He claims to be 21 years old, yet his spontaneous spirit and limited focus might equate to canine years. Following his flight on a private jet to Vegas with Ani, Ivan proposed (perhaps influenced by J. Lo’s documentary), causing Ani to flash her ring finger and inquire, “Is it three carats?” To which he responded, “How about four?
Who says romance is dead?
In the movie, lasting 139 minutes, “Anora” revels in the thrill of their passionate relationship’s hormonal surge, and Baker skillfully portrays this ecstasy through an unrestrained melody. However, every passionate encounter must face a sobering aftermath. One day, reality intrudes into Anora’s life due to Ivan’s parents’ intervention. As a result, the marriage is annulled, and the responsibilities of untangling the situation fall on Toros (Karren Karagulian), an Armenian priest also serving as Ivan’s tired troubleshooter, Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) – a sturdy ally, and Igor (Yura Borisov), a brooding Russian enlisted for backup in case things escalate – which they promptly do.
Toros criticizes Ani harshly by saying she’s brought shame upon his family through her marriage, a comment that clearly upsets her. The filmmaker skillfully depicts Ani’s response in an extended action sequence filled with humor as fists fly. This scene is just one example of many instances where the movie alters its tone during its second half, growing grittier and more daring as it moves towards a climax that will leave you devastated, as the weight of everything Ani has endured finally hits her like a crushing wave.
The decisive, poignant moment is dedicated to Madison, who portrayed a Manson Family member in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.” Her role was written specifically for her, and she reciprocated with an outstanding performance that catapulted her to stardom. She skillfully embodied Ani’s audacity while exposing the hidden vulnerabilities and self-deception beneath her tough exterior.
In the films by the director, the themes revolve around class and wealth, portraying a side of America seldom shown on screen. In “Anora,” he weaves a story where his lead character is adorned in a luxurious Russian sable and revels in her social climb, set to the rhythm of Take That’s “Greatest Day” (“The future is ours to seize”). However, Baker swiftly transports this character into the frosty neighborhoods of Brighton Beach and the bleak Coney Island boardwalk, where she competes with a group of tough individuals for power and social standing. The humor in the movie is pronounced, yet the unfairness of it all is starkly evident, making you empathize deeply with this character more than any other this year.
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2024-10-16 20:32