Anora

Synopsis: Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

Movie Review: 

"Anora," directed by Sean Baker, is an original dark comedy that is both heartbreaking and incredibly relatable. With excellent performances and surprising humor, it quickly became one of my favorite films of the year.

Mikey Madison shines as Ani, a young stripper who proves her acting chops with a hilarious, sarcastic edge that makes her character one of the most likable in the movie. Her New York accent adds an extra layer of authenticity to her performance.

Mark Eydelshtyen delivers a breakout performance as Ivan, the immature and hard-partying son of a royal Russian family. His chemistry with Mikey Madison is undeniable, and I found myself rooting for their toxic relationship.

Yura Borisov steals the show as Russian henchman Igor, bringing sensitivity and humor to his character. His scenes are some of the best in the movie, making him my favorite character.

Sean Baker's direction is energetic and stylish, taking the audience on a nonstop thrill ride from insane party scenes to uncomfortable x-rated love scenes. The film's humor, filled with non-stop insults and family drama, keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

While the ending was a bit too heartbreaking for my taste, "Anora" remains an incredible and funny dark comedy that I highly recommend. I give it 4.5/5 stars.

Director: Sean Baker

Cast: Mickey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Karen Karagulian, Ura Borisov, Vache Tovmasyan, Lindsey Normington, sarya Ekamasova, Alesksey Serebryakov, Anton Bitter and Ivy Wolk 

Runtime: 139 Minutes