Anora: The Unforgettable Film That Deserves the Oscar for Best Picture

Written by Lewis Knight

The scene opens with the title sequence playing alongside a reworked version of Take That’s “Greatest Day,” as Anora’s place of work transforms into a dance floor filled with strippers moving rhythmically. Anora, our main character, is brimming with personality and more.

Among the movies vying for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars, none possess the vibrant individuality found in Sean Baker’s film, “The Florida Project,” which revolves around Ani, a sex worker who unexpectedly embarks on a journey with the unpolished yet endearing son of a Russian tycoon. This captivating, compassionate, prickly, and darkly humorous 139-minute tale resonates as if it were the response to numerous timeless cinematic releases from yesteryear, particularly the cherished romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” with its fairy-tale narrative of a prostitute discovering love with a wealthy stranger.

Absolutely, Anora presents a unique perspective, deeply engaged with its central character and her challenging odyssey, yet it never strays far from the realm of reality. By critiquing the illusory romantic ideals common in Hollywood stories, delving into the raw truths of sex work, and exposing the hollowness of the American Dream, Anora remains captivating and vibrant throughout.

Mikey Madison delivers an astonishing performance as the bold and fragile title character, appearing authentic, boisterous yet utterly heart-wrenching. Meanwhile, Mark Eydelshteyn leaves an impression as her clumsy wealthy admirer Vanya, but Yura Borisov, nominated for Best Supporting Actor, is captivating as the enigmatic “strong-silent” character Igor, a henchman with compassion who interacts significantly with Ani, presenting a genuine encounter of souls in a subtle manner.

The film by Baker was humorous, sincere, and full of emotion, making it deserving of its Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival – and undeniably deserving of a Best Picture award. This production presents something contemporary and innovative while beautifully illustrating the power of cinema at its peak – to genuinely empathize with another person’s experience. Winning an Anora here might not be revolutionary, but it would significantly impact the careers of the gifted individuals involved, shaping their future artistic journeys.

Achieving victory for Anora at the Oscars could serve as a clear demonstration that independent filmmaker Sean Baker has truly entered mainstream recognition, following the acclaimed successes of Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket. Moreover, it would underscore the remarkable talent of Madison.

Indeed, the nominations themselves serve to reinforce Baker’s standing as one of America’s top-tier film directors (auteurs) and Madison’s position as a leading actress. Future franchise roles are undoubtedly on the horizon, but we eagerly anticipate further unexpected performances from this actress, especially following her humorous yet disquieting portrayals in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream 5.

Download the TopMob app for more Oscars 2025 coverage – including interviews with the stars and exclusive features.

After securing a BAFTA award, it appears that Madison is now the primary contender challenging Demi Moore for the Oscar in the Best Actress category. If Moore were to win, it would undoubtedly signify recognition for her outstanding performance in The Substance as well as her long-standing career. However, if Madison takes home the prize, her career would catapult from a promising up-and-comer to an established A-list star. Recognizing fresh talent can sometimes be just as thrilling and deserving.

Winning for Anora would also mark the second Best Picture victory for US production and distribution company Neon, known for bringing some of the most captivating films in recent years, such as Parasite, to our screens. However, during awards season, there was a significant discussion about Baker’s film that stemmed from Madison’s statement on Variety’s Actors on Actors, where she and co-star Eydelshteyn chose not to use an intimacy coordinator for intimate scenes. Despite differing opinions on the industry standard, it’s crucial to keep the focus on the fact that those involved always felt comfortable – so this controversy should not impact any potential awards.

In essence, while Anora may not win the Best Picture Oscar for being innovative, it certainly doesn’t lack merit. Its powerful storytelling, marked by evocative and compassionate direction, along with a standout lead performance, makes it more than worthy of recognition.

Sponsored by Vue

Save up to 30% on the latest releases at Vue in 2025

At the moment, there’s an exciting rush of new movies in theaters across the UK, with blockbusters like Wicked, Nosferatu, The Brutalist, and Moana 2 creating quite a stir.

Save up to 30% with Vue Pass

2025-02-28 23:06

Read More