Anora
Directed by Sean Baker
★★★★
ANORA. Courtesy of NEON.tif
Sean Baker’s Anora, which deservedly clinched the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is a poignant, raw, and unforgettable exploration of love, class, and identity. In typical Baker fashion, the film delves into the lives of individuals on society’s margins, presenting their stories with compassion, complexity, and a refreshing lack of judgment.
The narrative centers on Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, who stumbles into a whirlwind Cinderella story when she impulsively marries Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch. Her life, once confined to the gritty streets of Coney Island, is suddenly thrust into the glitzy, high-stakes world of wealth and privilege. However, her newfound fairytale is threatened when Ivan’s parents catch wind of the marriage and travel to New York with plans to annul it. What follows is a collision of cultures, values, and emotions that is as humorous as it is heart-wrenching.
Mikey Madison is nothing short of astounding as the titular Anora. She breathes life into the character with vulnerability and ferocity, ensuring that every moment feels authentic and gripping. Madison’s portrayal is layered; Anora is tough yet tender, guarded yet hopeful. By the time the film reaches its jaw-dropping conclusion, Madison has etched her character into the audience’s hearts, leaving a lasting impression. Yuriy Borisov, as Igor, delivers a nuanced performance, his stoic charm and quiet intensity providing the perfect foil to Madison’s fiery energy. Together, they create a dynamic that is electric, tender, and wholly believable.
The supporting cast also shines, with Baker’s knack for finding talent on full display. The ensemble brings depth to the story, ensuring that even secondary characters feel vital and real. However, it’s Baker’s world-building that elevates the film to another level. His portrayal of Brooklyn, particularly the faded charm of Coney Island, is deeply evocative. The setting becomes a character in its own right, a space of contradictions—vivid yet melancholy, grounded yet aspirational.
Baker’s screenplay is an exercise in balance. The film oscillates seamlessly between humor and pathos, offering moments of gut-busting hilarity alongside scenes of profound emotional resonance. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, and Baker’s ability to present his characters without judgment is one of the film’s greatest strengths.
If there’s a fault to be found, it’s the film’s runtime, which, at times, feels slightly indulgent. While every scene is rich with purpose and detail, some viewers might find the pacing testing their patience. Still, for those willing to immerse themselves fully, the film’s deliberate rhythm is immensely rewarding, offering an intimate and unflinching look at its characters’ lives.
Anora is a masterpiece of modern cinema—a film that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Sean Baker once again proves his ability to tell deeply human stories with unflinching honesty, making Anora a must-see triumph that will linger in the mind long after the credits roll.
