hi-floyd

"It's just crude" is a critique that many people give. As if the film's profanity holds no value. But film's self-description as "a love story" only works in conjunction with its provocative quality. Anyone who has seen the film knows that this most definitely is not a love story. The crudeness is a big middle finger to this perpetuated narrative and does so in a way that isn't pandering or easily digestible like many Hollywood movies in recent years.

If you haven't already, I'd advise everyone to watch Sean Baker's previous work. His films are touching and audacious. He makes observational, humanist dramas about poor Americans tackling the illusion of the American dream. In the case of Anora, while satirising the Cinderella love story, the film looks at American immigration and the loss of cultural identity. Watch the film from this perspective and you might see what it's communicating.

For a low budget pilot this is pretty damn good, mostly carried by the writing and acting. In a short amount of time the characters are fully realised, the relationship dynamics are organically established and an effective episodic story is achieved. I see potential for a great show. Just hope that these show runners are given the green-light and funding that they need.

Sidenote... as a wee southern English lad, it's honestly really refreshing to see a comedy show made by two Scottish women. Lord knows British comedy is oversaturated with English talent. Was especially refreshing to see a show that normalises sexual fluidity and the attraction to plus-size bodies in a way that isn't shoehorned in or used to make a cheap statement or pander to liberals is the name of wokeism. These characters and relationships feel organic. A message to the BBC, give em a chance.

** mild spoilers but not really, no plot points are revealed, im just explaining how badly written this film was. **

man, this was so disappointing. To be frank, this film doesn't have a story. The whole thing is just inconsequential filler only there to set up the final film. Legit the only plot point that actually impacts the continuous story or central characters happens right at the end, nothing before that actually matters.

This is my problem with so many preplanned franchises and cinematic universes. The filmmakers / studios spend so much time establishing the overarching story that they end up neglecting the individual films themselves. What we're left with is just a bunch of films each lacking an engaging story, they just exist to advertise the sequel.