Anora (2024)
Directed by Sean Baker
[Rated R] 2hr 19min
★★★★½
Anora is a romantic comedy drama about a young stripper who falls in love with the son of a Russian oligarch while he’s visiting America. After getting married, Anora becomes entangled in her husband’s dangerous family drama as his parents try to forcibly annul their recent marriage.
This is one of the funniest films of the year, primarily due to its amusing characters and the absurd yet relatively plausible story. The overall premise remains fairly grounded, while the actual events that occur throughout the film are incredibly silly. Mikey Madison gives an exceptional performance as Anora, and her interactions with various characters are highly entertaining and keep the movie consistently engaging. Not only does this film work on a comedic level, but it also provides an emotionally profound depiction of relationship struggles and personal issues that can negatively impact a seemingly promising marriage. Overall, this a fantastic movie that perfectly balances comedy and drama through its compelling narrative.
I recommend Anora to anyone interested in watching a hilarious movie that also explores important themes and messages. It isn’t a traditional rom-com, as it’s more of a comedy drama with romantic elements, so people who usually dislike romantic comedies like myself are still able to have an immensely enjoyable experience watching this film.
Anora is now playing in theaters. Click here to watch the Official Greenband Trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper