Anora

Rating 6/10

Director Sean Baker has built a career on elevating the fringes of society. From Tangerine and The Florida Project to Red Rocket, he presents the vibrant lives of outcasts underneath the gloom of their predicament. He does so sans judgment thus imbuing them with the humanity that allows us to embrace these marginalized people. In Anora, he continues this purpose. It pains me to say that this time, there’s less substance beneath the surface.

A young exotic dancer named Anora (Mikey Madison), aka “Ani” in Brooklyn, meets a wealthy Russian man named Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), aka “Vanya.” After a whirlwind romance, the two briefly travel to Las Vegas, where they impulsively marry. However, when Vanya’s parents learn of thier nuptials, they send his handler, Toros (Karren Karagulian), and his henchmen, Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov) to annul the marriage. The next 24 hours will be a chaotic period where Ani must cope with the dark world of powerful political elites.

Ani’s interactions with Vanya’s family introduce a struggle where tensions escalate. She learns more about Vanya’s weakness and his family’s ruthlessness. These reveal additional layers to Ani’s character and those around her. The relationship unfolds in Brighton Beach, a neighborhood known for its Russian-American community. Ani must navigate the wealthier, unfamiliar circles tied to her new husband’s affluent background as the son of a rich oligarch. Ani’s status as an outsider and Vanya’s privileged upbringing collide. A series of alternatively intense and humorous encounters unfold as they face the social and personal consequences of their impulsive decision.

This deliberately fragile Cinderella fantasy is predictably doomed. I assumed their passionate fling wouldn’t be all roses. Although even a clichéd setup like this comes with certain dramatic expectations. Ani starts to feel the giddy joy of this newfound connection with Vanya. The experience of watching Ani come into her own is palpable. For once, she is seen as a respected individual and not as some object to be purchased in a bar. Nevertheless, the chronicle swerves in unforeseen ways. While I appreciate when conventions are subverted, certain developments are more like rug pulls. The fairy tale does not follow a focused progression toward a meaningful emotional payoff. Other deviations become a wearying experience. The middle screwball comedy part of the story is stretched out to tedium.

Anora is beautifully assembled. Writer and director Sean Baker advances the authenticity by filming on location in New York. The wintry Brighton Beach backdrop adds atmosphere. The script is filled with natural dialogue, and the performances are excellent. These are complex but flawed characters, full of humanity yet difficult to champion. Actress Mikey Madison stands out as the star in the kind of performance critics often label as “brave” and “fierce” for its provocative choices. She is indeed natural and I felt sympathy for Ani’s struggle.

Because she carries most of the film on her shoulders, Madison will rightfully garner the bulk of the praise, but kudos to the rest of the cast. Actor Mark Eydelshteyn exudes a disarming, goofy charm as Vanya, making Ani’s ability to fall in love with him believable. His charisma is underscored by a lack of maturity, foreshadowing potential problems. Also, supporting actor Yuriy Borisov brings some nuance to Igor that makes a minor character unexpectedly memorable.

Anora stretches out its saga, taking almost double the time to cover half the ground. Despite its many strengths, the chronicle left me unsatisfied with its parting shot. Ani’s adventure is unresolved, leaving the audience in a state of unease.  A “slice-of-life” can be a rewarding experince.  In this case, all the tension and build-up did not lead to a worthwhile place.  It’s an extreme two-hour and nineteen-minute journey. Destination: Unfulfilled.

10-31-24