Allan Watched "Anora"
Bursting with energy but thin in story, Anora is an entertaining examination of someone trying to find their way out of the cycle their life is stuck in, even if the characters themselves are not easy to root for.
All About Anora
There is no putting Anora in a box. That is true about the Oscar-nominated film and about its central character. Mikey Madison, who has grown up a lot since we met her as the older daughter in the acclaimed Better Things, shines as Ani and is the main reason the film has garnered such acclaim.
Ani is a sex worker who is always fighting. Whether it is fighting for better situations for her and her fellow dancers at their Brooklyn strip club, fighting with those dancers themselves, or fighting for a way out of her current poor living situation with her sister next to the noisy Q train in Brighton Beach, Annie is always fighting.
The cure to all of that fighting appears for her out of thin air when Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a rich oligarch, finds his way to her club and needs a girl who speaks Russian. After a lot of sex, drugs, and poorly played video games, the two are off to Vegas for nuptials, completing Ani’s ascension from poverty and into a Brooklyn mansion. It is here where Ani’s “Cinderella story”, and the movie itself, go off the rails.
Anora’s strength comes from Ani, but it is also where the film falters. Is Ani really likable for marrying this awful man-child that she clearly doesn’t love? There is not enough groundwork laid for us to really root for her. So when Vanya’s family sends their goons to capture the couple and get their wedding annulled, a process that takes up the bulk of the movie, we aren’t hoping her love prevails, but instead wondering how long this will all take to find the runaway Vanya and be done with this farce.
A Goon You Can Love
One benefit of the middle act is the comedy troupe of Igor (Yura Borisov), Garnik (Vache Tovmasyan), and head-oligarch-son-handler-who-is-also-a-priest Toros. They bring immediate laughs as they try to control the head-butting and biting Ani, and immediately you realize Igor is being set up as the foil to Vanya.
Borisov does a lot with few lines (one of which was an instant screaming gif success), and Igor showing Ani compassion is refreshing among the group of horrible people. But the obvious setup of the two of them doesn’t work because Ani is generally a brat throughout and acts entitled to the money of her new lover, which I guess technically she had a right to.
That first scene with the three henchmen trying to essentially kidnap Ani and Vany was enjoyable at first, and Garnik just being a mess after Ani beats him up is a delight, but that scene went on far too long, as did the rest of the Vanya chase.
Award Worthy?
I appreciate the love Anora is getting, and Madison emerges as a star from this indie success, but I find the lapses in screenwriting make it hard to put it with the best of the last year. I enjoyed it, and again the final scene is touching, be it a weird tone shift.
New Jersey’s own Sean Baker, who wrote, directed, edited, and I believe worked crafty for the film, has always been drawn to marginalized characters, and Anora is up there with The Florida Project in terms of accolades and success. I do think a character needs to build up some good faith beyond being marginalized, though, and Ani does not come across as a beacon of envy by any means.
Overall I appreciate the energy of the film and Madison’s performance, which has become a darling of the award season. I just do not see this as a real Oscar contender.
Random Thoughts
The last scene where we witness Ani resort to the only way she knows how to show appreciation, and then collapse in tears, is one of the best of the last year. It just was not justified by the rest of the film.
The film is nominated for six Academy Awards this Sunday. It is nominated for Best Picture, Sean Baker is nominated for director, original screenplay, and editing, Borisov gets the nod for supporting actor, and of course Madison for Best Actress.
Igor is the only decent character in the film, and that says a lot since he is still an oligarch’s henchman.
He also has to win the award for devouring a burger on screen and having the largest mouth I have seen in a movie. His now famous screaming at Ani moment looks like a Sponge Bob character.
A priest texting while baptizing a baby was a funny bit.
One enormous pet peeve of mine in movies or TV is bad video game acting, and Vanya delivers some of the worst I have ever seen. Just flailing bumpers and triggers while never moving a joist stick. It rivals Tony Sopranos playing Mario Kart and only using the joist stick without hitting a button to go.
The tone shifts are wild. I like it when a film’s image comes from the passionate creator, but maybe more input for producers would’ve leveled things off.
Madison’s Brooklyn accent is the best you will ever hear in a movie from an actor not from Brooklyn. Tremendous.
I thought I was watching the best movie of the year for 40 minutes before it hit the brakes hard. Disappointing.
Quick Hits
How many times have I seen this movie?
One time, and I think I am good from here.
Where was I watching it?
In my office with a big old coffee.
Favorite trivia about the movie
Sean Baker’s Wikipedia says everywhere he lived in NJ as a kid, including Millburn, which for some reason is noted as “Northeast of Elizabeth.” That information is both unneeded and incorrect.
Favorite part
Ani beating up goons.
Least favorite part
Everything after Ani beating up goons.
Would I recommend this movie?
I think you should watch it if you don't mind it being mainly flailing nude body parts for large stretches of the movie. It is a wild ride, just one that stalls for a bit.
So What Does Allan Give It?
One Thumbs Up. Overall, a score of 69. Mikey Madison is worthy of an Oscar, but overall the film left me wanting a lot more. It did give us a great GIF though.
