"Anora" Review

Subverting expectations one scene at a time

SPOILER FREE

In this film, the titular character — portrayed by Mikey Madison— experiences the most chaotic couple of weeks of her life and is left with nothing but an engagement ring and the memories.

Anora (Ani) is a stripper and sex worker living in Brighton Beach. She lives a relatively normal life, but her spunk and ambition are apparent from the beginning. Since Ani speaks some Russian, she is paired with a wealthy young Russian man when he visits the club where she works. This young man, Ivan — portrayed by Mark Eidelstein — immediately likes Ani and hires her to come to his mansion. Eventually, in a deal reminiscent of Pretty Woman, Ivan asks Ani to be his girlfriend for the week. Their relationship becomes an issue for Ivan’s family, who Ani finds out are really Russian oligarchs. The ensuing chaos is both entertaining and heartbreaking.

Mikey Madison has a standout performance that has put her in Oscar’s conversations as a leading contender for Best Actress. This is well-earned, as her performance is the movie’s emotional center. Even when the plot moves toward the ridiculous, Madison’s mix of fire and vulnerability grounds the story in reality. We root for her, believe in her, and see ourselves in her. Mark Eidelstein also does a wonderful job at portraying Ivan with the right amount of authenticity and rich kid energy. His performance conveys Ivan’s immaturity and arrogance while maintaining the situation’s complexities. The other standout performance was Yuriy Borisov as the Russian muscle man Igor. While his performance is subtle, his presence in the background and developing emotions drive the story in a more significant way than it seems at first glance. Seeing the movie a second time and watching Borisov in the background greatly heightened the experience.

Not everyone will love this movie, but everyone will walk away with things to think about. Whatever Anora is, it is unequivocally something new, and that is something we need. Please see this movie.

Keep reading for further analysis containing spoilers.

SPOILER WARNING

While the narrative contains some conventions, it is incredibly unique in how it weaves together. The characters never do quite what the audience expects. The movie refuses to be simply a romance, crime drama, or comedy. Instead, it blends these genres, creating a singular story.

The moment that singular nature first showed itself to me was when Ivan’s family’s hired men came to the mansion. The story turns when Ivan leaves Ani behind, and she realizes that the situation is more complicated than she knew. The audience has been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it does, but not in the way we thought. Ani is in real danger, but between her fire and the men’s incompetence, we remain faithful that she will be okay. This will not be a serious mafia drama; it will subvert expectations. That blend of tones creates a truly chaotic and hilarious scene.

As the film goes on, it begins to slow down. Ani realizes she will not win this fight, and even Ivan abandons her. When his parents finally appear on screen, we realize that as charming and fiery as Ani may be, no amount of street smarts will match up the the sheer power and wealth they represent.

Director Sean Baker made a name for himself by authentically portraying underrepresented stories. He is particularly interested in sex workers, immigrants, and working-class people. In Anora, he takes these interests and creates a story larger than he previously attempted. His talent for recreating the tone of locales shines in this film, with several locations featured. Brighton Beach looks as bizarre and dim as its inhabitants say it is. He hired real sex workers from the area of scenes inside strip clubs. Ani’s world feels fully fleshed out. It is not patronizing or glorifying; she simply exists in the world.

Anora has struck a chord with many people because of that authenticity. We feel for Ani and almost believe she can have it all, but Baker reminds us that she cannot. It serves as both a subversion of movie tropes like that of Pretty Woman and a takedown of the American Dream. Ani will be okay, but her life will be a struggle to move up socioeconomically. If someone as savvy and ambitious as Ani cannot make it, how do we expect anyone else to do it?

This film was truly entertaining, beautiful, and thought-provoking. It is far from perfect, but it is something new and incredibly relevant. As time passes, I think it will only age better and potentially become a timeless staple.

Please, please, please see this movie. Even if you don’t like it, you will not regret it.