Downward Spiral of a Romantic Mirage - A Review of Anora

Anora is a romantic drama that has been receiving much critical acclaim and several prestigious awards. While this movie isn't the outstanding masterpiece some critics and fans claim it to be, this film is nonetheless worth your attention, respect and time if you appreciate contemporary dramas with quirky characters.

The story revolves around Russian-American erotic dancer Anora Mikheeva from New York City who is in her early twenties and going through quite a few challenges. Her mother and sister live in a different state, she stays in a modest dwelling with a roommate who annoys her more than anything else and she works as an erotic dancer in a club with much competition and jealousy. Her life seems to become a fairy tale when she meets the son of a Russian oligarch who requests her services, pays her generously and ultimately asks her to marry him on a trip to Las Vegas. Things however turn sour when her husband's upset parents learn about their union and use their massive influence to annul the wedding. What follows are twenty-four most eventful hours filled with confusion, fear and pain.

This film convinces on numerous levels. It accurately portrays the clash between rich and poor. The protagonist is merely treated like a tool by her husband's family while she is genuinely fighting to organize positive changes in her life. This hopeless struggle is the guideline through the movie. The way the Russian oligarchs perceive the world also has negative impacts upon numerous other characters such as businesspeople, handlers, henchmen, lawyers and even priests. The depth and diversity of these characters is one of the film's greatest strengths. The acting performances are also remarkable with Mikey Madison shining brightly as resilient protagonist in her charismatic cinematic breakthrough.

The film's story is a mixed bag. The entire middle section from the moment the protagonist first meets her future husband to the point when they go to Las Vegas for the second time is dynamic, entertaining and surprising. The opening segment is however shallow while the closing segment drags on for far too long.

This leads us to this film's biggest flaw. It overstays its welcome with a challenging length of one hundred thirty-nine minutes. The final result would have been much more fluid if it had been cut by at least half an hour to avoid repetition in the falling action and especially in the tiresome resolution. Portraying the main story's aftermath certainly serves an understandable purpose but it is ultimately portrayed poorly due to a rapid decrease in energy.

In the end, Anora is a romantic drama that convinces with a realistic topic portraying the clash between rich and poor, fascinating characters with depth and memorable acting performances. The flawed story, excessive length and lack of energy in the resolution that should instead conclude this movie on a high note are the most notable downfalls. Ultimately, Anora qualifies only just as a good genre film but it fails to shine brightly enough to be genuinely considered the greatest movie of the past year.