One thing about director Sean Baker’s movies is that everything is rooted in class. Anora might charm as a romance, delight as a comedy, and dazzle as a realistic look into sex work, but at the end of the day, it’s a movie about labor, specifically exploitation labor, making the movie as painfully realistic as it is hopelessly romantic. It’s like the anti-Pretty Woman in that way. There’s no doubt it will have the same cultural impact (it’s already starting heated discourses on the internet) and will be remembered for just as long. The heated performances, breathtaking cinematography, and subtly hilarious script are all bonuses to this gem of a film.
"Baker shoots and choreographs like a punk Cassavetes, toying with dynamics, colours and textures while always creating chunky knots of overlapping dialogue in a bid to heighten tensions to breaking point and beyond."
— David Jenkins
"By turns swoony, funny, panicky and sad, this is the director’s most vivid creation yet."
— Jessica Kiang
A young sex worker from Brooklyn gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as his parents set out to get the marriage annulled.
Ani (Mikey Madison), a sex worker, agrees to marry Ivan (Mark Eidelstein), an ultra-wealthy heir to a Russian oligarchy. But when Ivan’s parents find out about the marriage, they send bodyguards to undo their union.
Baker always goes above and beyond when it comes to casting, making sure to honor authenticity over everything else. But here, he hit the jackpot. I can’t imagine the film working the way it does and having the same intoxicating effect with different actors.
Right after it ended, I had an overwhelming urge to watch it all over again (and again and again).
Oscars
5 wins, 1 nomination
Cannes
1 win
Golden Globes
5 nominations
BAFTA
2 wins, 5 nominations
SAG Awards
3 nominations
Spirit Awards
3 wins, 1 nomination
WGA
1 win
Nat. Board of Review
2 wins
NYFCC
1 win
LAFCA
3 wins, 2 nominations
César Awards
1 nomination
I dont like it ????
I agree with Candy. This was a forgettable movie.
Thanks
it’s a meh. probably the best given the selection of films that year but you had “an overwhelming urge to watch it all over again (and again and again).” lol don’t you have taste?
good movie, must watch once at least