Sean Baker’s “Anora” is one of the most gripping yet fun films to be released this year.
After early showings around LA and New York “Anora” finally became available in most theaters in November.
“Anora” chronicles the life of young sex worker, Ani, in New York and her Cinderella-esque story of how she got married to a son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan, and the consequences of their abrupt marriage.
Baker is no rookie to movies that grapple with realistic and not so happy stories as we saw from one of his most popular films “The Florida Project” and this release does not pull its emotional punches from the audience. While most of the film takes place in night clubs and party settings they are overall a mask from Ani’s true feelings and reality.
Mikey Madison gave one of the best performances of the year. Madison is a newer actor in the film scene and has only had roles in smaller movies. Her performance as Ani is award winning from all the effort she put into the role and perfectly encapsulates the life of Ani. She truly became the boss bitch that Ani is and totally blew me out of the water.
Ani’s character is one of the most complex I have seen in recent years and as we get to watch her handle these situations that come at her. We see her struggle constantly throughout the film from financial troubles, her identity, and having to deal with terrible people around her who keep messing with her when she tells them not to and when they keep on she will not hold back and even though she is a small girl she will break noses.
Anora is a powerful woman and is utterly inspiring in the way she stays strong throughout the complications inside herself and around her.
Co-star Mark Eydelshteyn, Ivan, also did an amazing job at playing a nepo baby who does not understand the fact that his actions affect others in serious ways because Mom and Dad will always be there to fix the mess.
The visuals were amazing, the acting was amazing, the comedy was amazing, “Anora” is amazing.