Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
Chuck says:
Anora learned early on that no one is going to take care of her but herself. You can see it in the way she walks, hear it in the way she talks and feel it in the cold, manipulative gaze she casts upon you. She’s out to get hers, and pity anyone who gets in it her way. While the term “force of nature” is overused, its apt in describing her as she’ll steamroll you if stand in her way. And now that she’s found her meal ticket, pity anyone who tries to take it from her.
A ribald look at the “Cinderella” fairy tale, Sean Baker’s “Anora” is a film that, much like its main character, doesn’t know when to quit. Initially intriguing, the movie overstays its welcome, padding its threadbare story throughout until it wears out its welcome. However, its saving grace are the performances from Mikey Madison in the title role, as well as a roster of game co-stars that run with the absurdity of the premise, focusing on the humor of the situation to great effect.
Working in one of New York City’s gentleman’s clubs, Anora (Mikey Madison, in a star-making turn) has mastered the art of separating delusional men from their hard-earned money. Always on the lookout for a particularly foolish mark with copious amounts of disposable cash, she hits it big when she’s introduced to Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), a very young Russian man-child who flaunts his wealth. Lavishing her with attention and money at the club, he suggests she come to his posh suburban McMansion and be his “girlfriend” for the week. Negotiations ensue, a deal is struck, and Anora is suddenly immersed in a lifestyle she’s only dreamed of.
Turns out, Ivan is the son of a Russian oligarch with not a care in the world. An impulsive trip to Las Vegas with Anora and his crew results in even more debauchery, leading to an impulsive marriage proposal. Realizing her ship has come in, she says “yes,” a chapel is found, and the deed is done. However, their marital bliss is short-lived when Ivan’s parents learn of this turn of events and are soon on their way to the States to dissolve the union.
Much of the humor comes from Toros (Karren Karagulian), Garnick (Vache Tovmaysan), and Igor (Yura Borisov) who are dispatched by Ivan’s parents to get a handle on the situation. None are a match for Anora’s fury once she finds out her new in-laws’ intentions. Their flummoxed reaction to her brazen physical attacks and desperation to hold on to her meal ticket is worth the price of admission. The trio realize they must walk a fine line, having to keep a handle on their charge, without harming her, at the cost of their own personal safety.
Coming in at nearly two hours and twenty minutes, the film is far too long and flirts with tedium during its third act. Repetitive sequences showing Anora plying her trade, as well as she and Ivan getting to “know” each other add nothing to the story. Even more taxing is a sojourn through Brookly, Coney Island and Manhattan, in which Anora and the three lackeys search for Ivan, who’s abandoned her. It feels as if we are with them every minute of the long, long night that ensues, their search ending in the spot they should have gone to first.
Baker’s in-your-face aesthetic and turned-up-to-11 soundtrack quickly becomes abusive, viewers assailed rather than entertained for most of the running time. Yet, Madison is arresting throughout delivering a fierce performance that demands our attention. Her over-the-top moments may be the ones that come immediately to mind, but the scenes where she’s required to show her character’s vulnerability is where she shines.
There are many fans of Baker’s work, and they will be well-pleased by “Anora.” A more liberal use of humor is present, injecting some much-needed energy to his oft-covered themes. Your mileage will vary with this one, viewers with vast reserves of patience likely to enjoy it, while those with just a passing interest will likely wonder what all the fuss is about.
2 1/2 Stars
