https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/202...vxqcbf53hid89r

https://deadline.com/2023/11/anora-s...on-1235591039/

Reviews from Cannes: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/anora/

The synopsis was released via Cannes as well: “Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively 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.”

Love Sean Baker's movies, Mikey Madison is 20 pounds of cute in a 10 pound bag, I'm so there.

Agreed. I think he is one of the best American filmmakers working today.

This seems to be the best-reviewed and overwhelming favorite of the festival at the moment.

Winner of the Palme d’Or.

This is Neon’s 5th consecutive film to win.

It's an absolute crime that The Florida Project didn't even garner a BP nom. Probably wouldn't have won, but it certainly should have been in contention. I'm still shocked that Brooklynn Prince is an actress; I swore she had to be some guttersnipe brat that Baker dragged out of a trailer park somewhere, because she had me convinced that's exactly who she was. Maybe Anora will get him the Oscar recognition he deserves.

And I've said it before, with every film he makes I regret more and more that as a programmer, I recommended our film festival reject his movie Take Out.

Redband:


Greenband:

Absolutely love Sean Baker's work. Easily one of my favorite filmmakers working today.

Saw the trailer before a screening of Long Legs (2024).

Definitely looking forward to this!

Very excited for this. I have seen and loved the recent Simon Rex movie and Florida Project.

where should I go next with Sean Baker??

I love his style

Continue moving backwards through his filmography and check out Tangerine (2015).

Another winner from Baker. This is a crazy fairy tale romcom and dark screw ball comedy all wrapped together. The film is one thing and pulls the rug out from you later on.

There’s been a lot of awards talk for this. It will likely be in the 10 best pictures films, but I don’t see it taking the win.

Does Mikey have a shot at Best Actress?

Yes.

Bummed that all of the limited screenings in my area are in San Francisco

I'll probably wait for the wide release.

Cool video.

I guess, despite my earlier comment, there really isn't another clear "front runner" for Best Picture at the moment. I just didn't see The Academy flipping for it... but hey, The Shape of Water won... so anything can happen.

This is expanding to more theatres this weekend.

Wow.

I have to admit, I didn't like the plotline description of the movie, but I chose not to read too much about it, wanted to go in as fresh as possible. And while I was certainly enjoying seeing the frequently naked Mikey Madison, it wasn't working for me; as mentioned in an early post, the subjects of Baker's films are never the wealthy. He likes to shine a light on the underbelly of society. On top of that, Madison's Anora was a vapid club girl/stripper, and I truly wondered why she was even in conversations about Best Actress.

Then the main plot kicks in, and I couldn't take my eyes from the screen. And while Vanya's family is insanely rich, they still live in a lawless world just the same as the residents of the sleazy motel in The Florida Project, just like Tangerine, and really all the subjects of Baker's films. They just drive Cadillacs and live in mansions, but they're still total sleazeballs. It's wonderful watching Anora come to grips with just what she's walked into, and Madison is a treasure to watch. It also makes you realize that the character we saw in the first 45 minutes or so of the movie is a total act; Madison is portraying someone who is portraying someone else. It's impressive to say the very least. The final scene is such a great juxtaposition of her reverting to the "character", and then finally being real.

Another winner from Sean Baker.

Finally got a chance to see this today. It was great. One of the best films of the year.

I initially came into the thread to let you know that the film expanded to Regal Natomas & Hacienda Crossings

Saw this a few weeks ago.

Easily, Director/Writer Sean Baker's most accessible film. Absolutely loved Mikey Madison's performance.

Definitely will be on my end-of-year list.

Yes, my viewing last week was at a micro-chain (9 US locations total). I'm currently working at a film festival held at a larger chain, and Anora started there just this week.

I'm glad I saw it at the micro chain because (Alan Smithee cover your ears. Or eyes. Whatever) the lead projectionist at the larger chain theater has said all chain theaters are keeping their screens in the flat aspect ratio 24/7; scope movies are just shown letterboxed. But at the micro chain, the masking came down for a scope presentation. Yes, it would be better had it been widened horizontally as scope movies are supposed to do, rather than just narrowed, but at least it was masked properly.

I had seen the trailer and was aware of the film's accolades, but I didn't know much about it beyond the trailer, which really only sets up the premise so I found the movie surprising and highly enjoyable.

I've never been to the Hacienda Crossings Regal; I had to look it up to see that it was in Livermore. you must live in Fairfield or Vacaville if you're between Natomas and Livermore.
Delta Shores Regal (Sacto) is my go-to theater. They also have a deal now at the Chik-Fil-a they share the parking lot with, where you get a free chicken sandwich for each Regal ticket you show them and Unlimited counts.

Shocked that our local theater here in rural America is getting this Friday.

Cann’t wait