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‘Anora’ is Hilarious and Heartfelt
This movie holds no punches.
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…
