Hooray another Best Picture Oscar nominee! Anora is one of my new surprise favorites. Mikey Madison is Anora (Ani), a charismatic young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries one of her ultra-rich clients. Here’s the kicker – her new hubby Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn) is the son of a Russian oligarch. His parents are not happy with this marriage and demand an annulment.
With the help of the family’s henchmen, the movie’s tone shifts from a Cinderella story into a clever dark comedy. While Madison is outstanding balancing her vulnerability and fierce strength as Anora, nearly every character brings something to the film. Igor (Yurly Borisov) is my favorite. From the moment he walks on scene, he delivers a complex sensitivity that feels safe and present. Just watching his eyes, his motivation is clear, and it does not let up for the entire film. He could snag the award for Best Supporting Actor. I could not take my eyes off of him.
Writer/Director Sean Baker has a gem in Anora with a tight script and likable characters that deliver gritty, unforgettable scenes. Themes of empathy and resilience create emotional depth that carries through until the last scene. And that last scene? Oof.
Shout out to the Better Things fam! One of my favorite tv shows ever and I’m excited to see Mikey Madison out here doing her thing.