Sean Baker’s latest masterpiece, “Anora,” which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, echoes the idea and charm of Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman“ but takes the subject matter to a new level. Imbued with more intense imagery, Baker confronts the harsh realities of sex work with a raw portrayal of the working class, offering a thought-provoking narrative bound to keep viewers enthralled from beginning to end.
Lust and Extravagance Lead To an Off-Beat Romantic Comedy
The Palme d’Or-winning film features some of the year’s most beautiful and moving performances. Star Mikey Madison takes Anora, or Ani, 23, a gritty sex worker who demands respect and brings viewers into her life, creating a character with a new level of sympathy.
The story begins at Headquarters, a gentlemen’s club in Manhattan, New York, and accompanies Ani working her shift. “You want a private room?” she says to an older man as she leads him upstairs. Instead of leaving viewers to assume what happens next, the film shows it completely uncensored.
Later in the night, Ani meets Ivan, 21, the son of a Russian oligarch. The young boy’s eyes practically double in size, and his grin stretches wider than the Joker’s when Ani offers to take him to a private room. The two instantly feel a connection and when asked, Ani puts her number in Ivan’s phone at the end of the night, which Ivan will take advantage of for the coming days.
The two get to know each other physically and emotionally, leaving Ivan to make Ani an offer. He will pay her 15K to be his girlfriend for the week. She accepts. The two have the week of their lives, going to parties and clubs, meeting each other’s friends and even taking a trip to Vegas, where Ivan would spontaneously propose in an attempt to stay together in America and avoid returning to his parents in Russia. However, the storyline takes an unforeseen turn when Ivan’s parents discover the young kids’ marriage.
Confronting Difficult Narratives Through the Camera Lens
“Anora” is not Baker’s first film to explore the complexities of sex work. The director of acclaimed “The Florida Project,” the bitter story of a mother-daughter duo struggling to make ends meet in a Florida motel, and “Tangerine,” where a young sex worker seeks revenge on an ex-boyfriend, Baker continues to challenge the stigma of sex work by creating narratives that humanize marginalized individuals and highlight their everyday realities.
“Anora” powerfully adds to Baker’s resume. From the cinematography, which impacts contributes to the film’s feeling by taking viewers into gloomy Manhattan and vibrant clubs during the late-night hours. As well as the set and costume design, which creates personality and character, the film is breathtaking. This film stands out in Baker’s work, with positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
It will be a shame if this film walks away with no Academy Award nominations. Whether it be Best Picture or recognition for the powerful performances by the actors who brought life to the characters, “Anora” is both beautiful and deranged. Each carefully crafted scene takes viewers into the hauntingly mesmerizing story. The film deserves the highest forms of recognition.
