Filmmaker Sean Baker continues his exploration into the world of sex workers as Anora focuses on a stripper and the son of a Russian oligarch.

Brooklyn erotic dancer Ani (Mikey Madison) has the opportunity to leave her job after meeting and then, on an impulse, marrying Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch. Sounds like a Cinderella story, nu? In a way, yes, but with so many more complications that just finding the owner of the glass slipper. It all starts when a client requests someone who can speak Russian. Ani, a Russian-American, is not fluent but knows just enough of the language. Who could predict that an impulsive marriage in Las Vegas would become their worst nightmare? It turns out that Ivan’s parents are not so fond of Ani joining their family, believing that their son is now a disgrace to them. Next thing you now, they order their Armenian handler Toros (Karren Karagulian) to annul the marriage. This part of the film is where things get chaotic.

One finds themself rooting for Ani, especially when Nikolai Zakharov (Aleksei Serebryakov) and Galina Zakharova (Darya Ekamasova) sends Toros. How can you not? Even for those who might not particularly agree with her lifestyle or employment choices, she has an opportunity to live a better life, if not a wealthier life. One reason why we find ourselves rooting for Ani is because Sean Baker has written an empathetic screenplay. Knowing what is at stake with Toros arriving shortly, Ivan goes on the run before Toros shows up, forcing Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov) to do whatever they can to keep Ani in the mansion. Like I said, it gets chaotic and even more so during the search to find Ivan.

Baker’s film takes audiences to a number of areas in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. A good amount of this comes while they are chasing after Ivan. Of course, none of this would happen without Baker wanting to work with Karren Karagulian again. The idea was for a project dealing with Russian speaking populations. Who knew that it would evolve into this? But in wanting to work with the actor and crafting the story, a star is born in Mikey Madison. The actress did her own stunts and will probably get an Oscar nomination for her role. I wasn’t really familiar with her work going into the film. If this film is any indication, she’s going to have a bright future ahead of her.

Led by Mikey Madison’s performance, Anora continues Sean Baker’s efforts to destigmatize sex work in his narrative storytelling.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Sean Baker
CAST: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Luna Sofia Miranda, Lindsey Normington, Darya Ekamasova, Anton Bitter, Vlad Mamai, Maria Tichinskaya, Ivy Wolk, and Aleksey Serebryakov

Neon released Anora in theaters on October 18, 2024. Grade: 4/5

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