Anora (2024)

Director: Sean Baker

Starring: Mikey Madison, Paul Weissman, Yura Borisov

A young escort from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

How the fuck this motherfucking movie managed to earn 6 fucking Oscar nominations if beyond fucking comprehension. No, this is not me talking; this is the way they talk in this movie. Foul language from beginning to end – enough to test any viewer’s tolerance.

The film revolves around Ani (full name Anora, but she doesn’t like that name), who is a 23-year old sex worker. She sells herself for sex in a strip club, but no, she’s not a hooker (only if it makes your feel better, honey, I’m not judging!). One night her boss is looking for someone who speaks Russian – for Russian guests looking for a good time – and Ani, who’s Grandmother was Russian, happens to speak Russian. And so she meets Ivan, a 21-year old spoiled brat from a very wealthy and powerful family.

Ani and Ivan have sex, start seeing each other, and have more sex, and more and more, and more; you get the picture (no pun intended!). Yeah, this film is full of sex, drugs and nudity – not to mention crude music and foul language, off course. This is definitely not the kind of film you’d want to watch with your parents, your brother or your sister!! Friends, maybe, yes.

While in Vegas having a good time, Ivan impulsively proposes to Ani and they get married. Hoping to have a fabulous time living in the mansion, Ani’s world soon comes crashing down when Ivan’s parents find out about his marriage. What follows, is so much yelling, screaming, and swearing that you might want to turn the volume down a bit. Half the movie revolves around four people driving around in a car looking for Ivan.

Ok, before you start thinking I hated this movie; I didn’t. Yeah, all the yelling and swearing was a bit much, but in general this is a good movie. Mikey Madison delivers an incredible performance as Ani. In fact, the performances from the entire cast was very good, and felt natural. The character I liked the most, was Igor (Yura Borisov), a character who had a small(ish) part in the film, but probably played the biggest part towards the end, and you’ll notice why if you watch the film and read between the lines at the end.

The film’s cinematography is very good, and director Sean Baker deserves a pat on the back for making the film so realistic. As a whole, ‘Anora’ is a very good production.

At the time of writing this review, ‘Anora’ received 340 award nominations, winning 112 (so far). It received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor (for Yura Borisov).

In English and Russian.

Would I watch it again? No.