Film No. 88. ANORA (2024) 28th Dec.

 

Film No. 88  (2024)  December 28th.  1:00 PM  PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 2, Perth City.

"My Cinderella, yes my Cinderella." (Ani's work pal describes her friend prior to Ani leaving work for the last time).

WINNER: Palme d'Or (Sean Baker) BAFTA (2024). Cannes Film Festival.

Does Sean Baker create characters for screen that are meant to shock audiences? No, but they are profound; helping us to feel a great sense of empathy for their plight. ANORA will exhilarate you, however.

So, think PRETTY WOMAN without the gloss. Mikey Madison (Ani) has all the beauty of Julia Roberts, but the silver slipper she needs to fit into may not be there when she most needs a fitting. The themes of loneliness, greed, the need for love, and trust run through ANORA. All the heroes Baker present us with are battered and bruised from life's travails. He issues some hope and then allows his characters to either unravel, or toughen up. Ani, a stripper (and more), meets her prince in the form of a Russian oligarch's son, Ivan (Mark Eidelshtein). We scream at her - "It's too good to be true, lovey, wake up!" 

I adored THE FLORIDA PROJECT and liked RED ROCKET. Both could have done with another cut. ANORA is nearly perfect. And Ani, while your awakening was rough - you finally cottoned on to what was in front of you all the time. 12GUMS.