Anora: Reviewed
by Lucy Kite
Sean Baker’s Anora is a riveting Cinderella-esque tale following the romance between Ani, a Brooklyn sex worker, and Ivan, the son of Russian oligarchs. The film has received tremendous reviews after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme D’Or. Anora’s depiction of sex work connects to themes from Baker’s previous films such as Tangerine or Red Rocket, which also shed light on the reality of sex work in the United States. However, Anora is receiving higher praise and awards buzz than any of Baker’s previous films and longtime fans of the filmmaker are forced to consider why this is. What sets Anora apart from Sean Baker’s other films is its approachable structure, Mikey Madison’s unique lead performance, and its strong cinematography and direction.
In his past films, Baker has depicted sex work in a more raw, authentic format. For example, his film Tangerine was shot entirely on an iPhone camera, with its plot following a transgender sex worker through Los Angeles. This format of the film made it more intimate in comparison to Anora, but also more difficult to digest for the average film viewer. In Anora, Baker splits the film into three acts. The first act follows the build-up of Ani and Ivan’s love story, the second act sees the slow unraveling of their romance, and the third act depicts the ultimate fate of their relationship. Through this format, Baker grabs the viewer in the first act, depicting the thrilling beginning to Ivan and Ani’s romance. The film takes you on a journey full of violence and chaos through the second act, yet it did not feel that it was overly violent to the point of making the viewer uncomfortable. The third act wraps up the story as a whole, and focuses primarily on Ani after the fallout of her romance with Ivan, allowing the viewer to see a more vulnerable side to her character. In particular, Baker fosters Ani’s character in a way that shows her authenticity and resilience, making her an ideal character to root for as the film’s plot unravels. Through this approachability, Anora fosters a conversation of sensitive topics.
The ways in which Baker depicts Ani’s experience as a sex worker is gut-wrenchingly sad, yet powerful. Mikey Madison, who plays Ani, is the focal star of the film, carrying the movie during its most suspenseful and heartbreaking moments. Madison’s portrayal of Ani is the heart of the film. Her charisma and talent let the viewer escape into her story, captivated by every new development. In addition to having a magnetic leading lady and a thrilling plot, the film has captivating cinematography and unique direction, making it a deserving front runner for the 2024 award season. In Anora, the electricity of Madison’s performance gives it an edge and broader appeal over Sean Baker's other films.
