People fall in love with Anora.
Sean Baker has made his mark on independent cinema with such notable films as The Florida Project and Red Rocket . His latest, Anora , a reimagining of Pretty Woman in which Richard Gere replaces the handsome corporate raider with the son of a sex-mad Russian tycoon, played by Mark Edelstein, is his most accessible project yet. Just as Pretty Woman launched Julia Roberts into the atmosphere, Mikey Madison’s transformation into a less glamorous sex worker has made her a breakout actress this year. After winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May, the film had its U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival to sold-out crowds. Subsequent screenings have been turned away by about 200 people each, making it one of the festival’s hottest tickets, along with Sony’s Saturday Night and Netflix’s Emilia Perez.
The film follows Anora (Madison), a Brooklyn sex worker who marries a wealthy Russian heir (Edelstein), making her mysterious businessman father and even more terrifying mother very unhappy. Their anger at the hasty marriages leads to a series of unfortunate events that put their relationship to the test.
ReadsYou can see all the Oscar predictions in all 23 categories on one page at: diverse Awards Circle: Oscars.
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The Telluride festival was a crucial Oscar test for the film — a madcap comedy with outrageous scenes that you wouldn’t expect traditional filmgoers or CGI voters to accept. But it seems to be the case.
One of the producers present who watched the film said: diverse“I loved the movie, and I need to work with Mikey Madison as soon as possible.”
That sentiment was echoed throughout the Colorado resort, where Madison’s stellar performance as the title character was the talk of the festival. At 25, Madison will be the youngest contender in the Best Actress race, and will likely emerge as one of the few sure bets alongside Angelina Jolie (“Maria”).
All eyes are now on the Oscars, where Neon made history by winning Best Picture for “Parasite.” The independent company is expected to throw its weight behind “Anora.”
Baker has yet to find himself in the throes of Oscar attention for his previous work, which tends to be more highly regarded by critics. “Tangerine” (2015) was a big break for the filmmaker, earning him nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards. “The Florida Project” (2017) received widespread acclaim for its star Willem Dafoe, who won several awards for his performance and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. While “Red Rocket” was a notable return to form for star Simon Rex, he only managed to win the Best Actor trophy from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
That could change with “Anora.” In fact, Baker, known for his sexually explicit films, may find himself mirroring the day Chloé Zhao was nominated for four Oscars for “Nomadland.” If that happens, he’ll be nominated for his work as producer, director, writer and editor. His vision is fully realized in “Anora,” with audiences loving the wild, earthy adventure that could become one of the critical favorites of the awards season.
Becker’s knack for discovering exciting new actors is on full display in “Anora.” Festival attendees have already begun to rally behind two standout supporting performances: Edelstein as an overzealous spoiled rich kid, and Yura Borisov as a quiet bodyguard. Both men are worthy supporting actors, though split votes often occur in crucial races, especially with lesser-known actors.
Next up, Anora will head to the Toronto Film Festival before moving on to the New York Film Festival. Will the buzz around this fun film continue to grow? Stay tuned for more.
