Mikey Madison, from the show “Better Things” and the new “Scream” movie, plays Anora, a stripper/callgirl who meets and charms a Russian oligarch's spoiled son, Ivan. The two wind up getting married, and all hell breaks loose when Ivan's family finds out.
“Anora” is a simple story, beautifully executed. It's mostly a drama, but with just enough comedy to make it go down easy. It would have been easy for the story to tilt too dark or too glib, but writer/director Sean Baker maintains the perfect tone for the tale. Mikey Madison is a brilliant actress, who looks great naked, and this is a standout performance. Mark Eydelshteyn is hilarious as Ivan until it's time not to be hilarious, and he is perfect in both cases. Yura Borisov gives a heartbreaking performance as a thug with a conscience. The movie has a host of Oscar nominations, including Best Film and Best Director, as well as acting nods for Madison and Borisov. It's a hooker movie with a heart of gold, and easily one of the best films of 2024.
5 stars out of 5
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