Fri 1 November sees the release of writer/ director Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winning comedy drama Anora; the best film I saw at the Cannes Film Festival by an absolute mile. Baker previously directed Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017) and Red Rocket (2021); all somewhat gritty US based dramas in which he created intimate, frequently hilarious yet bittersweet, but always totally authentic feeling stories with unique characters you simply cannot take your eyes off.
Anora feels glossier, as sex worker Ani (Mikey Madison) is whisked off her feet by Ivan (Mark Eidelshtein), the son of a Russian oligarch, which naturally relocates a chunk of the action to luxurious apartments and the glamour of Las Vegas. However, don’t be fooled by appearances. Anora is as much a searing critique of traditional Cinderella style love stories, as it is of the myth of the American Dream and the pain the wealthy can callously inflict on the rest of us.
Featuring brilliant performances from the two leads, we also have a stellar supporting cast who shine equally as bright. What may not be evident from the recently released trailer, is just how funny Anora can be. When Ivan’s family hear of his marriage to Ani, a trio of henchmen (Vache Tovmasyan, Karren Karagulian, Yura Borisov) are despatched, leading to some of the most hilarious moments of the film, as they struggle to contain our spirited Ani. I cried tears of laughter and sadness at this one and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
