Anora (Sean Baker, 2024, USA)

Anora is Sean Baker's most polished film to date. Compared to his past films, it has a visual finesse. After winning the Palme d'Or, the film went on to dominate the awards season, becoming the most awarded film at the 97th Academy Awards. This is quite a remarkable feat for a film that reportedly had a $6 million budget. It is easy to understand why the film has resonated with audiences. In many respects, it is a modern-day screwball comedy, the kind of film "for adults" that simply doesn't get made anymore. For this reason alone, it was a breath of fresh air.

Baker's film essentially has three acts. The first act, in which our protagonist Anora (who prefers to be called "Ani") meets the son of a Russian oligarch (Vanya), who invites her to become his live-in girlfriend and eventual spouse. This act is frenzied and kinetic. The second act is more drawn out and plodding and involves the fixer of Vanya's parents hunting for him, along with his two goons Garnik and Igor, as well as Anora. This all takes place over the course of a single night. The film culminates with a more somber third act, in which Anora is forced to annul the marriage and returns home, accompanied by Igor.

The surprise at the end of the third act has garnered much praise and is certainly a tonal surprise. The third act is likely the reason that Mikey Madison's performance garnered an Academy Award. Anora is a fun watch, with memorable characters and dialogue. Whether it has something more significant to say, or whether it will be remembered decades from now, is another question. In many ways, the film recalls a different era of filmmaking, where films without big stars could rise in prominence and notoriety.

8/10