Awarded the Palme d'Or last May, “Anora” was finally released in theaters. But what do viewers think of Sean Baker's film?
The Palme d'Or of the 77th Cannes Film Festival is therefore American. Thirteen years after Terrence Malick and The Tree of Life, Sean Baker and Anora brought the trophy back to the United States, and allowed the director of Red Rocket to become a little more known to the general public.
A leader in American independent cinema, it only took two appearances in the Cannes competition to win the Grail. Thanks to the story, which is reminiscent of Pretty Woman (hence Cinderella), of a stripper from New York who becomes infatuated with the son of a Russian oligarch.
So what did the first spectators think of this funny, euphoric, energetic and moving film, in which Mikey Madison shines brightly?
With an average of 4.1 out of 5 obtained from 276 ratings*, Anora is already its author's best film, ahead of The Florida Project and Starlet (both 3.7). And it starts at the same level as Anatomy of a Fall, its predecessor on the charts, which then attracted 1,907,961 spectators in France before making its way to the Oscars. Bodes well for Sean Baker?
What do viewers think of “Anora”?
“Here is the great film of 2024, the indisputable Palme d’Or, the perfect film which completes the journey of an exceptional filmmaker, but which above all reserves an intense moment of joyful satisfaction for its spectators!”ignites Christoblog (5 out of 5).
“Anora has the same characteristics as Parasite of Bong Joon-Hothe last Palme d'Or at this level: a surprising storyline from start to finish, an ability to combine unusual styles (romance, social drama, comedy of manners, burlesque), and above all a desire to entertain the viewer who conditions the entire conception of the film.”
Here it is, the great film of 2024, the indisputable Palme d'Or, the perfect film which completes the journey of an exceptional filmmaker
Still according to him, “Mikey Madison is incredible in his vivacity and pugnacity”which confirms Alice L (also 5 out of 5), who speaks of her as a “true revelation” and qualifies the feature film as “wonder from start to finish”. A bit like Corbett (same note): “This film is dynamite. Terribly funny, sexy, rock'n'roll, touching, moving! The actress Mickey Madison is insane.”
“Remarkable film in its approach, its cinematography, and in particular the acting”this donniearko1 (5 out of 5). “Mickey Madison emerges as a major actress.” “A love story driven by two incredible talents and a brilliant soundtrack. It’s Sean Baker’s best film yet”presses Margot1812 (same note), the last sentence of which is in line with the film average on AlloCiné.
Deserved Palme d’Or?
Although rave, these two Internet users are among the rare not to mention the Palme d'Or, a status which makes the film more accessible to the general public, but also exposes it to a debate as to the legitimacy of this prize. “A well-deserved Palme d’Or” it Aston L (5 out of 5), and he is not the only one to go in this direction or that of Christoblogwho says it “incontestable”.
“Congratulations for this magnificent and deserved Palme d’Or”this Alice Lwhile we have “a well-deserved Palme d’Or” chez Blankovitch (5 out of 5), “the Palme d’(an)or(a) is so deserved” on the side of Marius P (same note), and several Internet users who talk about it as the most fun Palme since Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.
“Magnificent, funny and dramatic, few directors have this talent to handle several themes between them, Sean Baker succeeded, hence the Palme d’Or award, well deserved”develops Alice025 (4.5 out of 5). And noodles2 admits to having reconciled with Cannes, following his disappointments with the last Palmes, thanks to Anora: “Good and great cinema, rare in the current cinematographic landscape and especially rare in the American landscape.”
Few directors have this talent to handle several themes between them, Sean Baker has succeeded, hence the Palme d'Or award, well deserved
“The first part of the film is rather average and one wonders how this romance could have won the Palme d'Or”commence Cool_92 (4 out of 5), who then explains the reasons which convinced him and made him stay in the camp of the “Pour”. Unlike these Internet users, who gave the film between 3 and 3.5, and recognize their disagreement with Greta Gerwig's film.
“Compared to its competitors presented, was the Palme d’Or the best choice? The decision is questionable” it Henricowhich still gives it a 3.5 out of 5. “Especially since the American director stretches certain scenes excessively. Furthermore, he falls into a form of repetitive redundancy, with other scenes.”
“Anora, Palme d’or 2024, really?”asks crossing1 (3.5 out of 5), which goes in the same direction and points out nudity. “Although the quality of the feature film is undeniable, this choice, given some of its remarkable competitors, seems questionable to say the least.” Frédéric M. (same note) also said to have “hard to understand the Palme d’Or” while Fiers R. (same) asserts that it is not deserved.
This award is heavy to bear: we expect to see the best film of the year and we risk being disappointed with a film that does not reach the levels of Apocalypse Now or Parasite
“Baker's direction is full of energy, alert and very lively and he also rewards us with some pretty sensual shots – like the opening one on these female posteriors – or hypnotic like those following the wedding in Vegas. In short, to appreciate Anora, we must take it in the continuity of its director's filmography but avoid judging it as a Palme d'Or winner because that does not work in its favor.”
“This award is heavy to bear: we expect to see the best film of the year and we risk being disappointed with a film which does not reach the levels ofApocalypse Now or Parasite”analyse Yves G. (3.5 out of 5) going in the same direction. “You should go see it without this element in mind, like the new opus by Sean Baker, a little-known director whose previous films not many people had gone to see.”
Because a paradox is created, with positive reviews like these, which particularly praise the staging and the way of telling this story (which some consider not very original but well organized), but conclude on a negative note.
“The plot, which is bland and difficult to forget, progresses without any real stakes or development, making each minute interminable”
“If Sean Baker knows his stuff in terms of directing, the vacuity of the scenario, the almost absence of description of the characters, the scenes stretched at will for no reason, once again call into question the prestigious prize awarded to the film”this Pascal (2.5 out of 5), who is not the only one to deplore the length of the story. “The plot, which is bland and difficult to forget, progresses without any real stakes or development, making each minute interminable”thus adds Claude WOLFS (1 out of 5), which also criticizes the humor of the feature film.
“The humor, supposed to bring a little lightness, gives way to generalized consternation, each joke failing to produce anything other than a heavy silence. Arriving at the end of the film, we almost expect a final redemption, a touch of audacity to save the whole thing But no: the ending, as tasteless as it is absurd, resonates like the final blow, making the work even more difficult to digest.
“Anora is a film that never ends. Everything is heavy and without subtlety. The thread of the film is enormous but what is thickest and thickest is its conduct”finally said Olive (0.5 out of 5), one of the most negative Internet users on this opus which still appeals to a large majority, 80 of the 93 reviews posted on AlloCiné* being accompanied by a rating greater than or equal to 3 out of 5. And 24 of them give it 5 out of 5.
In summary
From its actress to its direction, including its mix of tones and the subjects it addresses, Anora appeals to the vast majority, and allows the general public to discover the cinema of Sean Baker. The question of the awarding of its Palme d'Or, however, is debated. And divides Internet users who are nevertheless positive about the film itself.
Among the faults that often recur are the length, the lack of originality of the story, and humor that does not please everyone.
And you ? Were you seduced by Anora?
*Notes as of Thursday October 31, 2024
