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Anora

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  • #2
    dulpit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,315 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058378766/anora

    There was a discussion about this on (I think) the Brendan O'Connor show last weekend. They were saying it's quite good, so definitely going to make a point of seeing this…



  • #3
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,560 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    A quite wonderful film, as is to be expected from Sean Baker (who I’d still put as one of the top three working American filmmakers based on his extraordinary recent streak of films).

    Like Red Rocket before it, it’s quite a delightful farce - often laugh out loud funny, and the second half becomes an increasingly manic screwball chase comedy. But like all Baker’s film, it’s the empathy and respect towards the working class and often demonised groups in society that stands out (though he’s also able to fill his films with fascinating weirdos and eccentrics). He’s explored sex work with an empathetic eye before and does it again here, but here the class commentary is sharp and carefully woven into the narrative. It all comes together beautifully with a stunner of a final scene.

    Mikey Madison is as good as everyone has said, but special mention to the colourful supporting cast Baker has assembled. There’s one incredible monosyllabic line delivery during a baptism scene (no spoiler) which I’m sure has brought many houses down :)

    Post edited by johnny_ultimate on


  • #4
    Deets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 ✭Deets


    I thought this film was excellent. Sean Baker's films, to me, feel incredibly accessible and crowd-pleasing, if not for just one thing—in this case, the sex-heavy first third. I fully believe this aspect was completely necessary to the story but I can see how it might turn some viewers off.

    Like his previous stuff it explores a part of society that might be seen as seedy or "less than," but I don’t see it as poverty porn because the characters are so well-drawn and Baker clearly has an affinity for them. Mikey Madison is great in the lead, but the supporting cast is unreal—shout out to Toro for delivering the best "no" in cinema this year.

    One of the best films of the year for me, and it looks incredible too.



  • #5
    SheepsClothing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭SheepsClothing


    I also really enjoyed this. Very funny at times, but also one I'll be thinking about for a while to come.



  • #6
    El Duda
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 944 ✭✭✭El Duda


    Anora - 9/10

    Much like Strange Darling and Blink Twice, I benefited massively from not knowing much beforehand. All I knew was that it was about a stripper 'falling in love' with a rich dude. I had no idea about tone, genre etc...

    IF YOU PLAN ON SEEING IT SOON AND WANT TO GO IN COLD, YOU MAY WANT TO STOP READING

    To make comparisons with recent bits; The set up is Pretty Woman but the script is more Scorsese, as it has an anarchic comedic tone not too dissimilar to Wolf of Wall Street. Then, when **** hits the fan part way in, it has that lairy Uncut Gems style loudness, with lots of overlapping dialogue and screwball characters getting themselves into stressful situations.

    My wife and a couple of others in my screening cackled the whole way through. I felt the length in a couple of scenes and you easily trim out 10 minutes, but otherwise the 140 minutes flew by.

    I feared that this may turn out to be another Challengers by being critically acclaimed, but actually a bit ****. That is thankfully not the case with Anora.



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  • #7
    jj880
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,376 ✭✭✭jj880


    At first I wasnt sure about this. The movie setup was kind of Pretty Woman's skanky cousin. Vanya was a quite irritating character also.

    The further I got into it though the more I realised what a great movie it is.

    And the final scene was excellent. Im not sure what other's thought but my take is:

    Anora was treated like trash the whole way through the movie. Like an object.

    When she initiates sex with Igor and sees that it isnt just sex for him shes overcome with emotion.

    Igor really sees her as a person. The handing over of the ring but maybe even more than that the taking of her bags up to the door. Shes not used to it.

    There were a lot of other little things Igor did / said in the build up to the final scene also.

    Mikey Madison is a star.



  • #8
    2smiggy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,330 ✭✭✭✭2smiggy


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973305#Comment_122973305

    Thought this was excellent as well. Will definitely again. Vanya is an annoying little shite, but it all adds to it

    As for the ending of the film having sex with Igor, I think she 'enjoyed' it , rather than just using sex as a tool/job with everyone else. Thought it was a great end to a wonderful film



  • #9
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,560 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    To me the ending is all about this moment of extreme honesty and vulnerability. The film has been this outrageous farce, with characters (other than Ani) constantly acting in unhinged or false ways. But it's all having a cost, and in this one, raw moment Ani - this endlessly charismatic force-of-nature, deterimined to make her own way and survive in a cruel world - finally allows herself a moment of openness and connection with maybe the only person who has treated her with any sort of respect and humanity. It's how much that scene clashes with the outrageous, heightened tone of everything beforehand that makes it so remarkable. It's messy and complicated, not an easy happy or sad ending IMO, though perhaps leaning more towards the latter.

    I remember when I saw it I spied one person leaving around 10 mins before the end - didn't seem like a storm out or anything, just someone who had to rush away. But it struck me how much different the film would have ultimately landed for me had I not seen that crucial final scene, and how it finally and elegantly articulates so much of what has been bubbling under the surface throughout.



  • #10
    jj880
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,376 ✭✭✭jj880


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973655#Comment_122973655

    Yeah its a great scene because theres so many ways to look at it.

    I think she subconsciously (maybe in some kind of transaction mode that shes used to) wanted to thank Igor but perhaps thought he just wanted a ride out of it. When he locked eyes with and tried to kiss her that's when she realised he respected her and desired her as more than that.

    Money is one thing but nothing beats someone seeing you and respecting you for real. Maybe something she hadnt experienced for a long time.

    Post edited by jj880 on


  • #11
    ~Rebel~
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,591 ✭✭✭✭~Rebel~


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973971#Comment_122973971

    That was it for me too… that she initiated the moment as something she saw as more transactional, which then became something altogether more real.



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  • #12
    silvertimelinings
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 80 ✭✭silvertimelinings


    The last scene redeemed the movie but I resent what I was put through to reach that point. A greasy little movie with a message of decency buried in it. This is what this director/writer seems to do. Florida Project is the best I have seen from him. At some stage I will say "no, just not worth it.



  • #13
    weemcd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,503 ✭✭✭weemcd


    ittle YouTube edit I made for Anora

    https://youtu.be/npP4zq91qAQ?si=3OzjRT-iB3GAxRP7


  • #14
    JP Liz V1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91,035 ✭✭✭✭JP Liz V1


    Best Film, Critics Choice Awards

    https://forumofgames.com/




  • #15
    Terrier2023
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 211 ✭✭Terrier2023


    really good watch well worth it



  • #16
    JP Liz V1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91,035 ✭✭✭✭JP Liz V1


    The big winner at the Oscars

    https://forumofgames.com/




  • #17
    Shelga
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,050 ✭✭✭Shelga


    Just watched this. Do not get the hype at all. Anora wanted his lifestyle, not him- she wasn’t easy to root for and I didn’t care what happened to any of the characters. Didn’t move me in any way. 5/10.

    Edit Also how on earth did this win Best Editing at the Oscars? There was zero editing on display and the movie would have been much stronger with 30 minutes shaved off. The middle of it dragged so much.



  • #18
    artvanderlay
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,224 ✭✭✭artvanderlay


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123262840#Comment_123262840

    Yeah, I agree with you thoroughly. The first 45 minutes was a slog and it only picked up when the godfather and his goons turned up but then it became a farce with them running around looking for him. I gave up after an hour or so because I didn't want to spend any more time with these unlikable characters.



  • #19
    Carcharodon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,070 ✭✭✭Carcharodon


    My wife brought me to this last night, i really didn’t know too much about it all, don’t pay a lot of attention to Oscar stuff but I turned to her after 20 mins and said “thank you” lol

    Its was genuinely a good movie, had a bit of everything and surprisingly funny, “Oscar worthy” for whatever that’s worth, not sure but it’s a low bar these days. Still a good watch and entertaining, sucker for that trashy New Jersey accent…..lol



  • #20
    murpho999
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,765 ✭✭✭✭murpho999


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123262840#Comment_123262840

    You know films don't have to be about perfect or likable people?

    Also, how can you say a movie had zero editing on display when it clearly did.

    I only saw this the other night and really enjoyed it and it deserved its praise and awards.

    Ending is one of the most thought provoking I've seen in a long time.



  • #21
    Shelga
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,050 ✭✭✭Shelga


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123277892#Comment_123277892

    You know it’s fine that you really enjoyed the film and I didn’t particularly?

    Watching a film is a subjective experience. It would be dull on here if we all agreed with each other about what films are good and what films are bad/mediocre.



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  • #22
    p to the e
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,368 ✭✭✭p to the e


    I think this film succumbed to the same "Oscar fatigue" that Green Book had a few years back. Because of the accolades and high praise it's expected to be some profound, life altering movie when it's just a well written and acted drama. I thought it was good and went in a direction I wasn't expecting.

    Mikey Madison is great as the confident, yet ultimately, vulnerable "tart with a bit of a heart" and she carries the movie on her shoulders. I actually thought Mark Eydelshteyn was great as the twerpy little rich boy.

    Madison is Hollywood's latest sweetheart and hopefully doesn't burn out too quickly.



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