Anora
A movie review by Alex First
A Russian/American stripper and escort meets the young, irresponsible son of a Russian oligarch and they set off into the sunset together.
Well not quite, although the first part of that line is the starting point for a wild ride.
Think Pretty Woman mixed with The Hangover.
It is 2018 and sex worker Anora (Mikey Madison) makes her money from bumping and grinding in a plush gentleman’s club in Manhattan.
One day in walks a 21-year-old Russian who is visiting the US, supposedly to study.
Truth be told, he spends most of his time partying, playing video games and enjoying the perks his parents vast wealth can buy.
His name is Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn).
He is looking for a good time and she gives it to him.
He asks her whether she works outside the club. She shares her number with him.
Before you know it, she is heading to a modern mansion with spectacular views in Brooklyn that Ivan calls his temporary home (it is owned by his parents).
The pair gets it on and thereafter they continue to show each other a good time.
They spend a week together.
Next thing you know, Ivan is asking Anora, otherwise known as Ani, to marry him in Las Vegas.
But not long after the “I dos” are exchanged, all hell breaks loose.
Ivan, a layabout who readily splurges his parents’ money, abuses substances.
And he hasn’t told his folks he’s just gotten hitched, although rumours abound.
When they find out, they send out their henchman to remedy the situation. Only Ani proves to be no pushover.
Hence begins a merry chase to annul the marriage
Anora is a riotously comedic and twisted Cinderella tale that has three phases.
It transitions from an unlikely love story to a chase movie, before shifting towards a poignant conclusion.
As he is noted for doing, writer and director Sean Baker (Red Rocket) has let his vivid imagination flow.
He has left it all on the page and the actors pick up the pieces and run with it.
In a powerhouse performance, Mikey Madison is a dominant figure. She brings sex appeal and fight to Ani.
Mark Eydelshteyn readily assumes the mantle of a man/child living in the fast lane, but caught out of his depth.
Frenzied and indignant, Karren Karagulian plays Toros, whose job it is to clean up Ivan’s mess, something he is accustomed to doing.
On this occasion though, it is no easy task and he fears the ire of Ivan’s vitriolic mother.
Yura Borisov brings sensitivity to hired muscle Igor, alongside a shellshocked Vache Tovmasyan as Garnick.
Baker wanted the film to have a ‘70s vibe and so Anora has a distinct look and feel.
The seedy and the stylish are captured by cinematographer Drew Daniels (Red Rocket).
Rated MA, Anora leaves an indelible imprint and scores an 8½ out of 10. 139 mins
