Anora begins impressively, drawing viewers in through an interesting premise and a nicely timed opening section. The narrative is compelling, mixing dramatic elements with some surprising moments of levity. While the middle portion extends beyond what's strictly necessary, this seems purposeful to establish a certain mood and allow particular ideas to develop. Although the film moves at a measured pace, it occasionally feels like it’s dwelling on scenes that don’t significantly expand our understanding of the characters. Nevertheless, the progression is captivating, even if the resolution doesn't entirely live up to expectations. Sean Baker’s direction is competent, creating an unpolished, almost documentary style that contributes to the film’s sense of authenticity and immersion. He demonstrates a talent for making ordinary locations feel vibrant and utilizes extended shots effectively. The cinematography reinforces this approach, maintaining a realistic aesthetic through natural light and handheld camera work, which adds a slightly intrusive quality to the storytelling. It's visually appealing, even though it doesn't strive for anything overtly artistic. The way the camera holds on certain instances gives importance to the film’s underlying ideas, despite the script not always fully investigating them. Mikey Madison provides a notably strong performance, essentially carrying the movie forward. She brings a complex quality to her portrayal, allowing her character to appear both self-assured and susceptible when appropriate. The other actors perform adequately, but the writing doesn't provide them with substantial material. This represents one of the film’s shortcomings: it establishes an intriguing foundation and some interesting people, but fails to fully develop them. You can grasp their reasons for acting as they do, but not much more. The dialogue is occasionally insightful, yet often feels incomplete, which makes certain exchanges feel somewhat empty. The musical score and sound design are understated, serving primarily to create atmosphere rather than generating memorable moments. The film depends heavily on natural sounds and background noise, which suits its realistic tone. It strengthens the sense of reality but doesn’t do much to heighten the film's emotional impact. Ultimately, Anora is a well-made and well-performed movie that holds your attention, though it falls short in delivering a satisfying conclusion. If you are interested in a story focused on characters with an honest, unvarnished feel, it’s probably worth seeing, but don't anticipate a grand finale.

Source on TMDB