Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
‘Astonishing Adaptation’
Few books have contributed to understandings of women like “Poor Things”. Published years ago, Alasdair Gray’s book introduced a female hero somewhere over the rainbow. The book achieved popularity by portraying women in the land of opportunities. 30 years after publication, the book endured through depiction of little women. On a personal level, I find the novel relatable. At an age of innocence, I formed bonds with a girl exhibiting courage. A tomboy, she loved activities boys would enjoy. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl my entire school came to admire. Seeking to be the favorite student of teachers, she fought sexism barriers. Inspiring wonder in women, she fought oppression. She had ambition to be more than a pretty woman. She defied sexism taking pride in a prejudiced country pushing women aside. Without a doubt, she spoke out regarding issues she was passionate about. It wasn’t long before I bonded with a girl I came to adore. While peers saw her as childish, she was a promising young woman I came to cherish. I grew up to value a girl with a feminist worldview. However, sexuality ended bonds forever. During a trip to London, she became a lesbian. I contacted her on Twitter, but she blocked me from her profile forever. Following the heartbreaking incident, I regarded her as a poor thing. Looking back with nostalgia, Bella Baxter is a reminder of a girl that shaped my persona. As iconic as Barbie, the book reminds me of a girl I valued highly. Years later, I treasure feminist literature.
Now, Yorgos Lanthimos celebrates legendary novels contributing understandings of feminism in his Oscar-winning film “Poor Things”. Empowering, heartwarming and sweeping, it commemorates a legendary novel about women. Lanthimos constructs astonishing adaptations of novels shaping perceptions of women. Boasting breathtaking production-design, stirring storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a powerful adaptation. Although “Poor Things” is unforgettable, it isn’t flawless. It’s poorly paced, suffering from superfluous prostitution subplots. Nevertheless, it provides meaningful entertainment for fans of the book.
Amidst Victorian London, “Poor Things” follows a feminist woman seeking freedom from societal oppression. Emma Stone embodies Bella Baxter, a childlike woman experiencing a sexist era. Raised by renowned surgeon Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), Bella is taught to obey restrictive societal conventions for women. However, Bella’s life forever changes when she embarks on adventures finding identity. As Bella gains understandings, she questions societies treating women as poor things.
Yorgos Lanthimos is fascinated with women. His award-winning film “The Favorite” examined rivalry between women competing to become their queen’s favorite lover. With “Poor Things”, however, Lanthimos crafts adaptations. It’s the filmmaker’s attempt reimagining novels, but he succeeds. Evoking Victor Fleming’s “The Wizard of Oz”, Lanthimos captures a woman’s identity through transitions from black-and-white to color. Black-and-white scenes showcase Bella’s limited freedom in patriarchal systems, while colorful scenes illustrate feminism. It sparked heartwarming memories of a feminist classmate experiencing London vacations discovering identity. Color transitions are tricky. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” demonstrated, color transitions elevate biographies. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Alongside cinematographer Robbie Ryan, Lanthimos celebrates literature. Lanthimos commemorates novels, manufacturing theatrical viewing.
If literature doesn’t attract you to theaters, however, there’s reasons to see “Poor Things”. Assisted by dance choreographer Constanza Macras, Lanthimos designs dance sequences capturing women defying expectations. For instance, dances elevate the restaurant scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bella begins dancing in restaurants defying expectations Victorian women are facing. One acknowledges choreography recalling Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land”. Dance gives Bella a chance to assert her feminist stance. It reminded me of my bond with a classmate that loved dancing to defy a society where women were restricted. Dance sequences are complicated. As Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” suggested, dance sequences elevate Austen adaptations. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Furthermore, music is magnificent. Celebrating Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women”, it honors little women. Through set-design, Lanthimos honors women that shine.
Another extraordinary aspect of “Poor Things” is storytelling. Lanthimos’ screenwriting strength is capturing stress impacting feminists through tragicomedy. In Hollywood, movies rarely address stress affecting feminists’ success. For example, Harry Bradbeer’s “Enola Holmes” depicted Sherlock’s sister as a heroine overcoming barriers in the Victorian era. Thankfully, however, “Poor Things” avoids pitfalls. Lanthimos honors source material. Evoking Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”, the filmmaker uses tragicomedy capturing feminists’ adversities. Like Barbie’s crisis questioning what she was made for, Bella’s decisions to elope with lovers leaves soulmates unhappy. It reminded me of sorrow that tore life apart after a classmate I came to adore didn’t want to meet anymore. Tragicomedy is tricky. As Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” proved, tragicomedy elevates movies about friendships. Lanthimos’ previous film “The Lobster” suggested tragicomedy elevates dystopian movies. However, it works. Through a stellar screenplay, Lanthimos commemorates books today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Emma Stone delivers a career-defining performance as Bella Baxter. Stone achieved popularity by playing teen girls fond of attending parties in comedies. With “Poor Things”, however, she embodies her most complex role. It’s challenging to capture the persona of a woman battling sexism in the Victorian era, but she succeeds. Evoking Sally Hawkins in Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water”, she embodies a powerful heroine seeking to defy social order. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, determination and grief of a feminist woman fighting oppression. It’s a phenomenal performance.
The supporting cast is fantastic, building strong bonds. Mark Ruffalo is magnificent, bringing charisma acknowledgements to a gentleman whose stark misogyny is tested when he falls in love with a woman leaving a lasting mark. Willem Dafoe is wonderful, capturing sorrow of a dedicated surgeon. Last, Ramy Youssef merits acknowledgements. As a rejected lover, he’s heartbreaking.
Finally, “Poor Things” gains everyone’s appreciation through honoring a book inspiring wonder in women. Evoking Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman”, it commemorates literature celebrating women. It discusses universal themes including childhood, family and sexuality. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with source material to appreciate it. It delivers a message engaging everyone impacted by feminism from an early age. Therefore, “Poor Things” is an adaptation everyone will adore.
Despites its strong message, however, “Poor Things” can’t quite honor legendary novels about poor women that readers adore. Lanthimos’ decision to integrate subplots about prostitution into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Bella’s exploits in prostitution aren’t as engaging as journeys in Lisbon. As Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman” suggested, prostitution subplots belong in romantic comedies. As Emerald Fennel’s “Promising Young Woman” proved, sex subplots elevate movies about sexual assault. While prostitution played pivotal roles in the novel, it hinders pacing. Graphic sex scenes feel out of place in a film depicting struggles feminists face. Consequently, “Poor Things” falters.
Nevertheless, fans of the legendary book will appreciate “Poor Things” and so will movie-goers giving acknowledgements to feminism. An astonishing adaptation, it commemorates a world-famous feminist novel that inspired wonder in women. Nearly 30 years after publication of a famous feminist book giving acknowledgements commemorating women that are poor, it could motivate women to overcome sexism in store by giving acknowledgements to a book they adore.
A lovely celebration of a legendary novel about lives of little women battling societal oppression, it’s a luminous reminder of literature capturing hardship of women in an era of oppression.
Like powerful melodies star-crossed lovers in L.A. play, it’s a melodious reminder of a novel that forever changed the way women were seen during an era when sexism came with a price to pay.
If movies can celebrate wonderful books capturing women which follow dreams somewhere over the rainbow, hopefully it would inspire modern women that face sexism to challenge the status quo.
As strong as Bella’s desires to achieve freedom, it has motivated me to move on many years after ending friendship with a companion being a symbol of feminism celebrating a book giving me understanding of eras when women faced sexism.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 