Writer/Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Edelstein and Yura Borisov
‘A Marvellous Masterpiece’
Prostitution is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in films with respect. Hollywood has commonly struggled to tell engaging stories of hookers engaging in sexual activities. When portraying prostitutes in movies, filmmakers often fall prey to stereotypes. Prostitutes are always depicted as objects of sexual desires rather than real people that possess complex feelings. A complex profession which is all too often misunderstood, prostitution is rarely ever depicted accurately in Hollywood. Due toward the sensitive nature of the subject, films rarely ever portray it in a realistic point-of-view. For these reasons, it’s rare to come across realistic depictions of prostitutes in movies. Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter, it’s often proven hard to depict in movies which leave a strong impression. A profession which is all too often attracting great judgement, prostitution is seldom ever depicted through authenticity in entertainment. Therefore, prostitution is rarely ever depicted with a degree of respect in films audiences adore.
Few films I’ve ever seen have captured trauma faced by prostitutes as powerfully as “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winning movie offered a phenomenal portrait of prostitution. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about prostitution. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Miley Madison, who embodies a strong prostitute seeking success in a tense industry. Ultimately, what makes “Anora” a masterpiece is its message. Unlike most films about prostitution, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about the importance of identity that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about a profession of prostitution, there are several strong reasons why “Anora” is a movie which is definitely without any doubt worth watching.
Set in Brooklyn, “Anora” tells the story of a sex worker that falls in love with a client causing a dilemma. Miley Madison plays Anora, a joyous sex worker that seeks success in prostitution in America. Anora has often been careful to keep her personal romantic relationships separated from sex work. However, Anora’s life changes when she falls madly in love with Ivan (Mark Edelstein). Ivan is the prosperous son of a Russian oligarch. Anora and Ivan always get along well with each other seeking marriage in their future. When the news reaches around the city of Brooklyn, Anora’s dreams to build a bright future are threatened. Ivan’s conservative parents following social traditions are strictly against their son getting married to a prostitute. As all the odds are clearly stacked against her favour, Anora begins to wonder if it’s truly possible to become a successful sex worker. Facing a dilemma, Anora questions if she will ever become a prosperous prostitute in America.
Sean Baker is fascinated with lives of women seeking to discover their identity. A fantastic arthouse filmmaker, Baker has commonly told stories of struggling working-class women in search of identities. His award-winning movie “The Florida Project” captured a woman that struggled to provide for her daughter without employment in Florida. With “Anora”, however, Baker made his first prostitution drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture intense barriers faced by sex workers but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Baker captures a sex worker embarking upon a journey to discover her identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as breathtaking as dreams Anora endeavours to materialize. Baker successfully uses montages to capture a sex worker bonding with her client on a weekend. For instance, montages elevate the mansion party scene. During this heartfelt scene, Anora and Ivan spend valuable time in each other’s company after they decide to be married. Through marvellous montages, Baker creates a strong prostitute that audiences can relate to. Montages are not easy techniques to use in modern movies. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” suggested, montages enhance period pieces about L.A. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Baker captures prostitutes seeking success in professions that are threatening.
Another admirable aspect of “Anora” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Baker has often excelled crafting sets for his films, and “Anora” is definitely no exception. Baker effectively uses costumes to showcase the struggles that prostitutes are facing. Throughout the film, Anora’s colourful costumes showcase her transformation in the prostitution profession. For instance, costumes elevate the stripping scene. During this intense scene, Anora engages in prostitution involving stripping. One admires costumes showcasing Anora’s transformations in the professions of prostitution. Through strong costumes, Baker captures the hardships that prostitutes often go through. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Baker successfully uses modern pop music to capture prostitutes experiencing situations which are tragic. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that prostitutes bear. Through bold production design, Bakwr captures the lives of prostitutes facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Anora” is a captivating classic about prostitution that is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses dramatic monologues to convey tensions that prostitutes are enduring. Baker’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture tensions faced by prostitutes through dramatic monologues. For instance, monologues elevate the mansion invasion scene. During this tense scene, Anora is held captive by Ivan’s gangster family for her controversial decisions to marry him. One admires dramatic monologues which capture hardships prostitutes are facing. Using meaningful dramatic monologues, Baker crafts a compelling prostitute whom audiences could relate to. Dramatic monologues are not easy to use in movies. As Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo and Juliet” claimed, dramatic monologues enhance legendary Shakespeare adaptations. Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman” illustrated clearly, monologues elevate commemorated satires capturing sexual assault. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Baker captures commemorated prostitutes facing a price to pay today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Mikey Madison delivers one of her best career performances as Ani. Madison first achieved appreciation for playing hippie girls in period pieces about L.A. With “Anora”, however, she took on her most emotional role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a prostitute facing tragedy, but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Madison has an aptitude for creating strong female characters through her expressions, and “Anora” showcased her main strength as an actress. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, dedication and strong trauma of a prostitute stuck in a stressful situation. Madison pours her heart and soul into the role of a prostitute facing a toll. It’s a riveting performance from one of the most talented actresses in the industry.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Madison, the supporting cast also shines. The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Mark Edelstein is magnificent, bringing humanity to a wealthy teenager embarking on a decision to marry a prostitute angering his family. Yura Borisov is amazing, bringing subtle emotions towards a Russian henchman. Lastly, Karren Karagulian merits appreciation. As an angry mob boss, he brings palpable tension to the movie.
Finally, “Anora” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing prostitutes enduring a dilemma. Unlike most films about prostitution, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes of identities, marriage and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the profession of prostitution to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about identity which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Anora” is one of those rare movies about prostitution everyone would adore.
Fans of Sean Baker will definitely appreciate “Anora” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece about prostitution, it offers an engaging depiction of a misunderstood profession.
A powerful portrait of prostitutes facing hardships falling in love with clients seeking to succeed in a world which is terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a marginalized profession that is all-too-often misunderstood rarely depicted accurately in movies which could contribute towards a greater understanding about the challenging hardships faced by sex workers making intense sacrifices whose lives are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 