At first glance, when I read the premise of Anora, I immediately thought of Pretty Woman. After all, both protagonists are sex workers who get a chance at a Cinderella story when they encounter a wealthy client. The Julia Roberts movie is the Disney-fied version with a fairy tale ending, but writer/director Sean Baker manages to avoid such trappings.
We’re introduced to the title character Anora (Mikey Madison), who prefers to be called Ani, in a Manhattan strip club as she’s dancing topless on one of her clients’ lap. Baker films the scene of Ani and her colleagues servicing their clients as if they’re a music video, all lined up in a row, gyrating to the music. Ani is on her break having a meal when she’s called by her boss to attend to a Russian-speaking client. As it turns out, Ani is Uzbek-American, which explains her ability to converse in Russian.
Ivan aka Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), a spoiled brat of Russian oligarchs, is immediately smitten by Ani. Their relationship starts out as purely transactional at first, Ani makes sure of that, even as Ivan feverishly pursues her. There’s a scene straight out of Pretty Woman where Ani negotiates her fee when Ivan asks her to be his ‘girlfriend’ for a whole week and act as his ‘plus one’ at various parties. It’s no surprise that a horny, good-for-nothin’ rich boy whose sole interests are sex, video games, heroin, and partying becomes infatuated with a sex worker. They end up getting a quickie wedding in Vegas, sans prenup, complete with a huge diamond ring and fur coat as a wedding gift.
While Vanya’s actions are par the course for his character, I picture Ani as someone who’s clever enough to see past the fantasy and keep her feet on the ground. But somehow, she gets caught up in it all and jumps right in. The fairy tale begins to crumble, just like Cinderella’s carriage falling apart as it turns back into a pumpkin when Vanya’s parents get wind of the marriage. They deploy their handler who hires two goons to get the two newlyweds to a courthouse for an annulment. The entire second act descends into a comedy of chaos as the cowardly Vanya runs away, leaving Ani on her own to fend herself against the men sent to handle them.
Well, Ani proves to be tough as nails in fighting them off, and the scenes at the house are pretty hilarious. An Armenian Orthodox clergyman named Toros (Karren Karagulian) is forced to leave in the middle of a Baptism (he was still holding the baby!) to deal with Vanya. The irony isn’t lost on Baker Baptism is all about someone turning away from their sins and committing to follow God’s path, but what Toros does with Vanya’s situation is just the opposite. But of course, in his mind, he’s just following orders, as are his hapless goons Garnik (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov).
I’ve only seen one of Baker’s films so far, The Florida Project, and he’s known for focusing on the lives of people who are often pushed to the edges of society. Ani is a character who most of us would probably consider sleazy and want to steer clear of in everyday life. Admittedly, I couldn’t relate to Ani at first, but as Baker allowed us to spend time with her, my perspective began to shift. Madison’s performance makes me see Ani as more than a stereotype with all the stigmas associated with her profession, but a well-rounded and emotionally complex person.
As Vanya is pretty much absent after the first act, it’s Borisov’s Igor who emerges to be a surprising scene stealer. Initially, his quiet and passive nature gives off the impression that he might be a bit out of it, but the way he pays attention to Ani and the small gestures of kindness towards her (and also Garnik) shows there’s more to him than what you see on the surface.
Anora is one of those films that really comes together in the final act. I find the first act a bit repetitive. Yes, I understand Baker is trying to immerse us in the life of a sex worker but I feel that the nudity and sex scenes are overindulgent. The second act feels a bit farcical at times, which is a bit coarse even if it’s by design. Baker makes a strong commentary about class structures when a working girl meets an absurdly rich family. The difference is striking, even if Vanya’s parents come off a bit like caricatures.
Ani has spent a big chunk of her adult life in a world that only sees her for what she can provide, not for who she really is. So, when a guy unexpectedly gives her something valuable without wanting anything back, it totally catches her off guard. Her reaction is genuine and really touching. In this pivotal moment, she discovers her true essence.
Anora has become quite the belle of the ball during award season. I’m not as enamored with this one as most critics are, I think it could use a much tighter editing and the vulgar scenes are a bit excessive for my taste.
That said, overall it’s a compelling film that deftly blends absurd humor with genuinely poignant moments. Madison’s star-making turn deserves all the accolades she’s received so far.
Have you seen ANORA? What did you think?
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Right now, it’s my favorite film of 2024 as I have seen some shorts by Sean Baker as well as a few other films of his like Starlet, Tangerine, and The Florida Project as this is so far his best film to date. One of his early films in Take Out I think is available on MAX as I hope to watch that next month and eventually Red Rocket. The film’s big inspiration is Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini as they do share similar ideas of the way sex workers are handled though I think Baker is more of a neorealist than what Fellini is known for even though he began writing for Italian neorealist filmmakers.
Mikey Madison completely knocked it out of the park as that scene where she is yelling, biting, and kicking Igor and Garnik is great. I would not go into a fist fight with that woman. The 2nd act of the film is really what made it for me as I love this search throughout the city as I do love Yura Borisov’s performance as he is often quiet in the film but he also asks some questions towards Ani as well as be a gentleman for her. Hey, ladies need more of that and I do my best to be a gentleman.
There is a lot of humor in the film but I think its strength is in the story and how we follow this young woman who certainly has trust issues and puts on a tough exterior. The ending is devastating yet it is perfect. I don’t think it will win Best Picture but I do hope the film does get some accolades. I know the Best Actress race is a three-way between Madison, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres (Moore is my pick) but I wouldn’t mind if any of those 3 won.
I think film is such a personal thing and a matter of taste. I don’t think this would make my top 10 list, maybe Honorable Mentions. Btw isn’t Red Rocket also about a sex worker?? He seems to like that topic, ahah.
Yeah, I’m impressed by Mikey Madison, that scene when the handlers are in the house is quite physically demanding, but she handled it well. But I love all the scenes with Borisov, I did not expect him to be that way at all, I thought he was high at first LOL.
I think the balance of humor and poignant moments are well-handled, and that ending made the film for me. I don’t mind this winning Best Picture though my vote is for The Brutalist, then Conclave. I just hope Emilia Perez isn’t winning (apart for Zoe Saldana). Fernanda Torres is my pick for Best Actress but Demi has been overlooked for so long, I’d love for her to win this time.
Yes, Red Rocket is about a porn star who burned too many bridges and has unredeemable qualities. Sean Baker does make a lot films about sex workers but I think he is sympathetic towards them. Yeah, they need things insurance and other things regular working people have.
Sounds okay. Will give it a go when it hits the small screen!
Thanks for the review, Ruth! xx
This isn’t my go-to type of film, to be honest, some of the scenes are overly vulgar and repetitive. But overall it’s got a compelling message about a woman discovering her worth.
Right on!
Im not into vulgarity, but if it REALLY works the message, it works. Otherwise it was just a gratuitous excuse to be vulgar. xo
I wouldn’t say it was gratuitous as the topic is about sex work, just overly repetitive. I’m sure I’m in the minority as most male viewers probably have no issue with that 🙄
Right!
Overly repetitive is probably gratuitous. I’d have to see it first to stand behind that.
I’m reading an interesting book (meant for research) on sexual harassment.
It covers all: men, women, ethnic, at work, in the street, in jail, and branches into all social harassments.
Men are the biggest culprits, bar none. When you say “male viewers”… I’m getting a big tie in to the book.
Okay, my mind is in overdrive.
Love ya! xoxo
I looked up the definition of gratuitous just to be sure… it means ‘lacking good reason; unwarranted’ I think in the case of Anora, some of the nudity make sense because of the subject matter. What I have issues with is that we don’t need to see the sex scenes and female nudity over and over, after 1-2 times I get it, y’know? I just feel bad for the actress having to disrobe so many times (even if she consented). I’m not prudish, I just think a lot of sex scenes can be done with a ‘less is more’ approach, same with horror too!
I’m curious what you think about this one Resa. It’s not sexual harassment per se (as again, she consents on being paid for sex) but there are aspects of women being taken advantaged of.
When I first saw the trailer of this movie several months ago, I thought it’s another silly hard R-rated rom-com. But it certainly gained momentum since its release and now it’s in Oscars contention? Lol. I’ll give it a watch when it hits streaming.
I think Sean Baker’s movies are generally not my thing, and initially I was surprised that it’s nominated by Oscars. I do think the main actress is excellent, as her character could’ve easily come across as silly and one-dimensional.
I have never seen any of Baker’s movies but he has found a niche for the type of movies he makes. If this one wins him some awards, then he gets to the opportunity to make other type movies in his career.
Scorsese started out doing mostly gangster films and then he built a long and successful career out of that. John Carpenter started out with horror films and he also had a good long and successful career.
Yeah I think Baker’s movies are pretty specific. I think with how well-received Anora has been, he’d definitely get a chance to broaden his horizon.
Speaking of John Carpenter, I just saw an interview with Bong Joon-ho on Mickey 17 and he seems to be a massive fan of his. They’re gonna do a Q&A together and he was super excited. Carpenter is 77 years old, wow!
I agree with your assessment, Ruth, and think you’ve summed it up well.
Hi there, Mitch! I appreciate you reading my review and offering your thoughts.
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