When I first started reviewing films back in 2018, I made it a tradition of mine to review every film that won Best Picture at the Oscars. The purpose of this was to not only expand my cinematic palette, but to also see if the winner of such a prestigious award was truly worthy of its accolades. This year, the award went to a film called Anora, so following the Oscars, I sat down and gave it a watch. The plot of this romance comedy/drama follows a young sex worker who’s life get turned upside down once she marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Going into this film with a basic understanding of the plot, I of course expected the explicit nature of many of the film’s scenes. It definitely doesn’t shy away from displaying the nuances of sex work. However, what I didn’t expect was the multitude of twists and turns that the story took. Without spoiling anything, this film takes the classic rom com formula and completely flips it on its head in the most interesting ways. Whether I was laughing out loud at the film’s more comedic scenes or completely enamored with the heartfelt exchange between two characters, I could tell that this film was meticulously crafted to be an anti-fairy tale of sorts, especially considering the film’s ending that stuck with me long after the credits started rolling. I haven’t even begun to talk about the phenomenal cinematography and performances from the talented cast, most notably the film’s lead actress; Mikey Madison. Overall, I definitely see why this was the Academy’s pick for Best Picture. However, before watching, I would recommend going in with an open mind and an open heart as well. Score: 9/10
Noah Robinson 