Anora (2024)

I haven't met a Sean Baker film I didn't like. Anora may be his highest profile movie with its win at Cannes and the Oscar buzz it is getting which makes it feel the closest to a mainstream break out for him since The Florida Project. Anora is even more accessible with its charming lead actor and hilarious story that almost any adult audience could enjoy. Yet it never once compromises or becomes safe. Anora is a beautiful, tragic portrait of a woman striving for happiness in a world that does everything it can to keep it from her. 

Yes so much about what makes Anora work so well is the singular performance of Mikey Madison. I loved how much she loved her character, consistently and constantly playing her with a power and strength, even when showing vulnerability. Her self-worth was evident throughout no matter what the others around her were doing to try take that away from her, consciously or subconsciously. The script only gives us a little to work with on who this woman is, and there are plenty of times we could make assumptions. She defies all of that but rounding her out as a fully realized human being, and one who knows who she is and advocates for herself. She is funny and sexy and smart and relentless... who she needs to be, even when she has weaker moments. 

Madison gives one of those performances that you'll remember. The rest of the cast is good as well, especially Evdelshteyn (as the adorable yet spoiled rich kid who makes you like him despite how much of a douchebag he is) and Borisov (the thug with a heart of gold who will never be good enough for her). But really this is all about Madison and how she tears through this movie like a force of nature. 

Anora had me thinking about a lot. The film overtly references the elephant in the room, Pretty Woman, but tells a very different story. This isn't a fairy tale yet it also isn't a nihilistic film either. Somehow we know Ani will be okay... as much as anyone can be. There is a joy in this story that is palpable despite the challenges that face our hero. Baker is good at telling these stories that offer us joy for characters who are really struggling. Anora's most powerful moment comes right at the end, and it is a catharsis that is wholly relatable and felt by all of us. I believe there are parallels here with the ending of Pretty Woman, although it is a very different ending, that just felt like such an honest release. It is the sort of ending that just leaves you stuck in your chair as the credits role, feeling all of it until you can collect yourself. 

Anora is a triumph. Madison is a force of nature. Do yourself a favour and let yourself experience this film.  

Anora

Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov,  Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan

Writer/Director: Sean Baker