rating: 9/10
disclaimer: i'm trying to write down all my reviews after a long time. my memory of things might be shoddy but i'll try my best to capture what i initially felt about the pieces of media that i consumed in my review.
i've heard the criticisms, yes, but i'd like to judge this separately from people's criticisms of sean baker and mikey's choices in playing her character. this movie... was an experience. i understand why it did so well in festival circuits because, i don't mean to be pejorative, this is such a film bro movie. a lot of the story lies in subtext and what the characters are not saying. ani is always putting up a front to protect herself, vanya's family and their connections are not fully explained which does add this layer of mystery to who they really are and what they're capable of. none of the threats ani is aimed with are empty, which makes it a wonder for her to have come out of that situation on her feet. maybe that's why that last scene with her finally breaking down and allowing herself to cry with igor hits so hard. i liked this movie's portrayal of female strength because i remember clearly thinking i would've cried, yelled or had multiple breakdowns if i were in ani's place. i love her as a character and respect her mental fortitude for putting up with all that. wonderful self-titled movie. but did this movie deserve to win so big at the oscars? fuck no. wicked and challengers were snubbed HARD. admittedly, mikey deserved that oscar, i have no issues with that. editing? okay sean baker you did well. but did this deserve best picture, best director and best original screenplay over dune 2, challengers and a real pain? no. absolutely not. this was an industry thing like with emilia perez. but anora winning over emilia perez was the lesser of two evils. that movie was ass smeared with shit.
