Pete Stone
Contributing Writer
2024 has arguably been a mediocre year for film, which is why Sean Baker’s “Anora” is such a pleasant surprise.
Having seen Baker’s 2017 film The Florida Project nearly a dozen times, I knew as soon as Anora was announced that it would be special, and my expectations were not only met, they were fully exceeded. This fresh take on the Cinderella story is undeniably the best film of the year so far, and it just might be the best of the decade as well.
Having already received the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, it’s clear this subversive dramedy has been largely praised among critics. Considering its relatively low budget, the film has exceeded expectations with general audiences as well, grossing an average of just below $92,000 per-screen on its opening weekend, which is the highest of 2024 and the second highest since pre-covid.
The film follows Anora, a sex-worker whose life is interrupted by Ivan, a nepo-baby who hires her for prostitution and proposes to her only a week later. The first act of the movie feels like a skewed fairytale, with Anora, nicknamed Ani, being set free from a life of struggle and welcomed into a life of luxury. Although the film constantly reminds you of the harsh realities surrounding Ani, they are pushed to the background once Ivan, nicknamed Vanya, enters her life. The film subverts the Cinderella stereotype, however, once his wealthy Russian oligarch father finds out about his and Ani’s spontaneous marriage and flies to New York to force an immediate annulment.
Every aspect of this absurd yet realistic dramedy is near-perfect. Its distinct style has so much personality and its uniqueness shines through in every scene. The performance given by the lead actress Mikey Madison is nothing short of masterful, making it easy to become so invested in her character to the point of forgetting that you’re watching a work of fiction. This feat is made even more impressive by the absurdity of the film’s narrative.
The way this film blends genres together is seamless and natural. There were several times I laughed out loud sitting alone in a nearly empty theater. Other moments had me on the edge of my seat rocking back and forth with suspense. Some scenes even had me holding back tears with emptiness lingering in my stomach.
The film is a masterwork in subtlety. So many scenes take full advantage of the artistic medium of film, showing you without wasting the time to explicitly tell you. The cast gives such nuanced performances, adding more and more layers to each character throughout the film: not only through explosive arguments and clear dialogue, but also through small gestures or even facial expressions. Although the narrative is straightforward, the film leaves room for interpretation, as it never tells you how to feel. While processing the film, each moment flashes through your mind as you attempt to understand exactly what the film is trying to say on a deeper level.
The film kept me fully captivated during its entire two-hour runtime, and I was taken completely out of my own thoughts as I became completely absorbed into the story unfolding before my eyes. As the credits began to roll, absent of any music, I was left paralyzed, unable to move. Once I finally regained consciousness enough to get up, I began processing what I’d just experienced. A movie that makes you sob in the theater is undoubtedly sad, but a movie that waits to hit you until you get settled into your car before immediately bawling is heartbreaking.
This movie feels so real. Despite many moments being outright hilarious, the core of this movie is a very serious, very emotional, and very accurate depiction of real world issues. Every character is developed so well and all feel like real people. Every decision made is well thought out and believable. In defiance of Hollywood clichés, the film devolves into chaos and never fully recovers:ending in somberness and uncertainty. The ending of this film is not the end of Ani’s story, nor is it the end of her struggles. Her life will go on, just as we move on with ours.
I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for something refreshing. In a time in which the film industry constantly pumps out cheap copies of previous successes, the world needed something like Anora.