Anora: Fantastic Fest Review

Characters in movies are often larger than life, and it’s pretty obvious they are people you would never meet in real life. Sometimes, though, a filmmaker is able to fill a world with characters that feel like someone you might meet at a local bar or maybe even someone you already know. Sean Baker is one such filmmaker, as his often flawed characters always feel real and, because of that, so relatable. In his new film Anora, that doesn’t change, but the magic in this one lies in the performances. This might represent Baker’s best work yet.

They say in New York City, anything is possible, and for Ani (Mikey Madison), that “anything” is working at a strip club, trying to make her dreams happen. One night, something unexpected happens: her not-so-great Russian comes in handy when the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch named Ivan (Mark Eydelshtein) comes in, looking for a girl who speaks his language. They have a good time, and Ani gives Ivan her number if he wants to hang out outside the club. Of course, he does, and Ani is introduced to a world she has never seen, as she and Ivan start spending many nights together. It doesn’t take long before they have an exclusive arrangement, and after an impromptu trip to Vegas, that arrangement becomes even more exclusive with a wedding between Ivan and Ani.

The bliss soon becomes muddied when Ivan’s family finds out about the marriage, and it is something they do not approve of. Soon, they send the people who are supposed to be watching Ivan to “clean up” the mess and get the wedding annulled. Ani, however, is not going to let that happen without a fight, and the night turns into a chase between her, Ivan, and his family’s handlers, trying to fix this situation in his family’s eyes.

Written by Baker, who also directs, Anora is purely a Cinderella story, but unlike that classic tale, this one feels alive. This is not Baker’s first story about a sex worker, but with Anora he operates on a different level, and we can see he is coming for our souls and hearts. From the opening scene, Baker hooks you and never lets go, as he tells a story that feels just as much self-reflective as it is boisterous. By showcasing every one of his characters’ Achilles heels, Baker heightens both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows we experience with them.

As mentioned before, Baker has a way of capturing the humanity in his characters, and in Anora, it truly shines. We get a highly energetic and mercilessly entertaining film that feels like Cinderella for adults, but with a much more realistic ending. Anora can be both raw and tender, as its characters wrestle with their flaws, and it really puts its two leads in a position to soar. Mikey Madison is a name you will hear a lot during award season, as she absolutely shines as Ani, displaying incredible energy and captivating the audience with her performance. Meanwhile, Eydelshtein doesn’t fold under the brightness of Madison’s star, as he plays Ivan’s duality of being both sweet and serious perfectly.

All of this combines into cinematic perfection as Baker showcases his masterful filmmaking skills. But for all the greatness on display, the thing you will remember most is the name Mikey Madison and her stunning performance.