Haddenham Screen

ANORA (18)

2hours 19 mins

Director:  Sean Baker

Starring:  Mikey Madison, Paul Weissman, Yura Borisov

Synopsis:

Ivan Zakharov, the impetuous son of a Russian plutocrat, is used to having it all. As a result, when a $15,000 girlfriend experience with sassy exotic dancer Anora rocks his world, it's only natural that Ivan goes the whole hog and ties the knot. It's a proper rags-to-riches story; however, true love and infatuation are two entirely different things. And when Daddy's intimidating goons show up unannounced, the volatile situation demands an answer to the most crucial question. Do the star-crossed lovers have what it takes to be together forever?

Awards:  five Oscar wins and one nomination, one BAFTA win and four nominations, five Golden Globe nominations.

Reviews:

"I know you won’t believe it’s as good as everyone is saying it is until you hear it from me so here you are: yes, it’s as good as everyone is saying it is."  SPECTATOR

"Much of the film now plays as caffeinated farce, shot in a Brighton Beach stuffed with anxious Armenian handlers and hired muscle not long off an Aeroflot. The comic energy is delirious."  ***** FINANCIAL TIMES

"Each change of tone is handled with sinuous ease by Baker, one of the best independent directors, who is finally getting the props he deserves."  *****  TIMES

"Like Mikey Madison’s title character, Anora is pretty, messy, witty, wild, and highly competent, one of the funniest, saddest, and best films of the year."  ****  OBSERVER

 "It shouldn’t all be so funny, but it is, and it’s to Baker’s huge credit that he’s able to inspire laughs and huge enjoyment from this madcap story without leaving you feeling that the woman at the heart of this mess has been short-changed."  *****  TIME OUT