Writer/Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein and Yuriy Borisov
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Prostitution is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has avoided prostitutes whose lives are misunderstood. Prostitutes are depicted as sexual objects rather than people with feelings. From a personal point-of-view, I find stories of prostitutes easy to relate to. At an early age, I formed bonds with a girl with courage. A tomboy, she enjoyed activities which the opposite sex would enjoy. Being a promising young woman, she sought to fight oppression. She was a feminist without a doubt that wasn’t afraid to speak out on issues she was passionate about. In a prejudiced country pushing women aside, she took pride. It didn’t take long before I bonded with a girl that I appreciated. I grew up to value a girl with a feminist point-of-view. I soon fell in love with a girl that cast a magical spell through the feminist stories she would tell. I admired her bravery to speak out against misogyny in a country where women weren’t treated fairly. However, sexual identity brought our bond towards a closure. When she embarked on trips to London, I lost my contact with a girl that had been a companion. Seeking to become a hooker, she changed forever. Reacting in a way that was hostile, she blocked me from her Twitter profile. The loss of a friend that represented a symbol of feminism was a shock to the system. Looking back in reflection, I’ve grown to treasure a companion which gave me understandings of the hardship experienced by women.
As someone treasuring fond memories of a girl that shaped my persona, I adored “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s movie paints a powerful portrait of prostitution. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Mikey Madison, who embodies a strong prostitute. Ultimately, what makes “Anora” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Anora” is worth seeing.
Set in Brooklyn, “Anora” follows a sex worker that romances a client causing a dilemma. Miley Madison plays Anora, a sex worker in America. Anora keeps her personal romantic relationships separated from sex work. However, Anora’s life changes when she falls in love with client Ivan (Mark Edelstein). Ivan is the son of a Russian oligarch that Anora seeks to marry. When news reaches Ivan’s parents, Anora’s dreams are threatened. Facing a dilemma, Anora questions if she will ever become a prosperous prostitute in America.
Sean Baker is fascinated with working-class women. His award-winning film “The Florida Project” captured a woman raising her daughter in poverty-stricken Florida. With “Anora”, however, Baker created his first prostitution drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by hookers, but he succeeded. Through spellbinding cinematography, Baker captures a prostitute on a journe. Baker effectively uses montages to capture a prostitute bonding with her client. 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. It reminded me of my bond with a girl whose feminist beliefs shaped my identity. Through montages, Baker creates a prostitute audiences can relate to. Montages are not easy 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 a prostitute that endures obstacles that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Anora” worth praising is the production-design. From a technical point-of-view, the film is extremely well-made. Baker has always excelled using costumes in movies to signify characters, and “Anora” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Baker effectively uses costumes to showcase struggles prostitutes are facing. Throughout the film, Anora’s colourful costumes showcase her transformation in the prostitution profession. For instance, costumes elevate the home invasion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Anora’s life is turned upside down when her house is raided by burglars. One admires costumes showcasing Anora’s transformations in prostitution. Through costumes, Baker captures the hardships that prostitutes often go through. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Baker’s decision to use a soundtrack rather than traditional score pays off tremendously. The music is incredibly effective at capturing prostitutes facing barriers that are tragic. Through phenomenal production-design, Baker captures prostitutes facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Anora” is a captivating film about prostitution that’s compelling. 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, dramatic monologues elevate the argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Anora has a tense argument with Ivan’s parents after he refuses to apologize to her for his reprehensible behaviour. One admires dramatic monologues that capture prostitutes facing hardships which are tragic. 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 immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Baker demonstrates prostitutes that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Mikey Madison delivers one of her greatest career performances as Anora. Madison achieved acknowledgements for playing hippie girls born once upon a time in Hollywood. With “Anora”, however, she took on her most emotional role. It isn’t easy to embody a prostitute seeking success in a provocative industry, but Madison succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Evoking Julia Roberts in Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman”, Madison creates a compelling prostitute seeking recognition. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, dedication and frightening trauma of a courageous prostitute experiencing a stressful situation. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most promising young actresses working today.
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 themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses relatable themes of identities, marriage and trauma. 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 Mikey Madison will definitely enjoy “Anora” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A captivating classic about prostitution, it offers an engaging depiction of a misunderstood profession.
A captivating portrait of challenging barriers faced by prostitutes seeking acknowledgements in a profession that’s emotionally demanding, it’s a riveting reminder that the stories of hookers that are all-too-often ignored in society constrained by social pressures are definitely without a single doubt worth telling.
As strong as Anora’s love for prostitution, it has motivated me to move on several years after ending my hearbtreaking relationship with a girl that was once a close companion leaving me heartbroken whose strong dedication towards spreading inspirational beliefs of feminism inspired my lifelong filmmaking passion.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 