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One of the most iconic romantic comedies to ever come out of the genre, Pretty Woman not only made Julia Roberts a star, it also set the standard for all other rom-coms to come after it. Now, 34 years down the road, writer-director Sean Baker is taking a page from director Gary Marshall's modern-day fairy tale to tell a similarly themed story about an exotic dancer who seemingly finds true love with one of her wealthy clients. But while Baker's eighth feature film, Anora, may share roughly the same premise as Pretty Woman, that doesn't mean the filmmaker best known for such indie gems as Red Rocket, The Florida Project and Tangerine has abandoned his trademark storytelling style. Starring Scream's Mikey Madison as the titular character, who prefers to go by Ani, the movie doesn't waste any time introducing viewers to her world — a place where men are happy to spend their hard-earned cash on attractive, young women who are ready and willing to make their wildest sexual fantasies come true. It's here, in this Manhattan strip club named Headquarters, that Ani has been doing her part to help give new meaning to the phrase "daily grind." But when she's introduced to 21-year-old Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), it marks the beginning of an unexpected turning point in her life. The son of a Russian oligarch who spends his days playing video games in his parents' Brighton Beach mansion and his nights partying with friends, Ivan seems like any other spoiled, rich kid with zero responsibilities. Despite being from two completely different worlds, however, Ani and Ivan soon discover they share a special connection. But can their relationship survive the wrath of Ivan's unhappy parents and the thugs under their employ, all of whom would stop at nothing to break them up? Just as Pretty Woman did for Roberts' career, the result is all but guaranteed to make its lead, Madison, a bona fide star. That said, audiences going into Anora expecting a feel-good rom-com in the same vein are most likely in for a shocking surprise. Make no mistake, there's a tender love story embedded at the heart of the film's narrative. As in real life, though, relationships can be complicated; and while it does have its heartwarming moments, Anora doesn't shy away from showing what happens when fairy tales don't actually come true. |
Anora screens under the Special Presentations programme at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 18 min.
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