‘Anora’ is Hilarious and Heartfelt
Mark Eydelshteyn and Mikey Madison in Anora | Credit: Neon
Ani (Mikey Madison) is a sex worker who jumps at an opportunity to have her own Cinderella moment. But this impulsive decision doesn’t lead to the fairytale that she dreamed of.
I had heard so many film friends rave about Anora, so I knew that I had to check it out. And I’m so glad that I did! This film is incredibly entertaining, and its bold style is intoxicating. Mikey Madison’s performance as Ani is absolutely riveting!
We are initially introduced to Ani while she’s at work. We see her engaging with customers and even upselling them when she can. On her breaks, she advocates for better treatment for her and her coworkers. This isn’t done in a preachy way, but in a matter-of-fact New York way that I really appreciated.
It’s clear that Ani is a confident and competent woman who is paying attention. She wants to take care of herself and those around her. Over the course of the film, she gets wrapped up in Ivan’s (Mark Eydelshteyn) world. This son of a Russian oligarch is able to offer her so much more than she is able to get for herself — the allure is clear and obvious.
In moments of tension, we see her trying different tactics with people to try and improve her situation. She yells when she needs to, fights when she needs to, and reasons when she needs to. She is a female protagonist with such gumption that you can’t help but want to root for her.
Mikey Madison in Anora | Credit: Neon
The most surprising aspect of Anora is just how funny it is. There are multiple scenes, especially in the middle of the film, that are laugh-out-loud funny. And some of these moments come during scenes that would’ve otherwise been horrifying to watch.
There is a scene in the middle of the film when some men working for Ivan’s father attempt to detain Ani in her home. Ordinarily, a scene like this would be terrifying to see, but somehow, Anora makes this moment absolutely hilarious. The cutting between multiple locations, the constant yelling of the characters, and the bumbling nature of the henchmen make this scene utterly ridiculous.
I’ve read some reviews where people have compared Anora to Uncut Gems, and I get that comparison. While watching, I kept thinking about Big Trouble, which is a pretty silly film where Tim Allen and Rene Russo lead a shockingly star-studded cast. Big Trouble features some of the most incompetent criminals, and a section in the middle of Anora has that same vibe.
The men hired to find Ivan aren’t great at their job, and watching them run around New York City looking for him is, at times, hilarious. At one point, they’re so desperate that they just start asking random people if they’ve seen Ivan. The henchmen are so far out of their depth, and things keep going wrong, which makes for some really funny moments.
Mikey Madison in Anora | Credit: Neon
Anora is a bold film that holds no punches. It’s absolutely riveting to watch from start to finish because the characters are so larger than life. But the film doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or moments when it’s necessary.
This film asks you to look at the Cinderella story differently and consider what it might actually be like to exist in this other world for a while. Anora shows the allure of wealth and excess but also shows the strings that are attached to that.
Anora ends with an absolutely heartwrenching moment, which helps make this film so incredibly special.