Anora (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

I know there's backlash over certain slurs and I get it. But there are one or two or ten scenes in this harsh, luscious calamity film that left me cheering or just plain floored. The acting is thoroughly extraordinary. I was glad it racked up the awards. The one element I found kind of eye-rolly, and the weakest part of the film, was the opening sequence in the club (the line of lap dancers). It wasn't very imaginative, more shock-obv for me. Other than that, I adored it. The ending captures a particular trauma response that rings 100% true for me. I'd never seen it rendered this way before. Highly recommend if you like dark humor, relentless pacing, and in-depth character studies. Must be okay with sex work culture. Must tolerate gay slurs that are appropriate for the characters (but questionable as to why the filmmaker chose to include them).

Purchased as a gift for my husband. It arrived super quick and wasn't damaged (we've had issues in the past with Criterion DVDs arriving damaged). He was happy with his surprise!

A Disappointing Oscar Win: Why Anora Falls FlatThe Academy Awards have long celebrated excellence in filmmaking, honoring movies that push the boundaries of storytelling, direction, and technical mastery. However, this year’s winner, Anora, is a baffling choice that undermines the very standards that define an Oscar-worthy film. From its lackluster plot to its amateur execution, Anora is an insult to the legacy of past winners and a disservice to audiences who expect cinematic brilliance.A Plot That Goes NowhereOne of Anora’s most glaring flaws is its complete absence of a compelling narrative. The film meanders aimlessly, offering no real tension, depth, or stakes to keep the audience engaged. Characters are introduced without meaningful development, and the so-called “plot” is riddled with inconsistencies and uninspired twists that feel forced rather than organic. If a story is the backbone of a film, Anora is spineless.Direction and Editing: A Masterclass in MediocrityThe direction is equally underwhelming, with scenes that feel hastily stitched together, lacking any sense of rhythm or coherence. The cinematography fails to elevate the film, relying on generic framing and uninspired shots that add nothing to the viewing experience. The editing is choppy and erratic, making certain sequences feel jarring and disconnected, as if the filmmakers themselves were unsure of what they were trying to achieve.Acting That Feels HollowA strong cast can often redeem a weak script, but Anora offers no such saving grace. Performances range from overacted melodrama to lifeless monotony, making it difficult to form any emotional connection with the characters. Moments that are meant to be profound or moving instead come across as awkward and forced, draining the film of any sincerity.An Oscar-Worthy Film? Absolutely NotTo put it bluntly, Anora does not deserve a place among the greats. It lacks the ambition, creativity, and execution that define Oscar-winning films. Its victory is a slap in the face to classics like Schindler’s List, The Godfather, or Parasite, which showcased true artistic vision and craftsmanship. The Academy’s decision to crown this mess as the best film of the year is not just disappointing—it’s embarrassing.Final VerdictWhile film is subjective and different audiences may take away different meanings from a movie, Anora simply fails on too many levels to be considered a worthy Oscar winner. Instead of setting new standards for excellence, it drags the prestige of the award down. If this is the direction the Academy is heading, it may be time to rethink what truly defines cinematic greatness.

I'm giving it 3 stars because I did sort of like it, but it was in spite of itself. It had an infectious energy and some wonderful performances. I started watching expecting to love the film, but it’s basically a slightly more realistic (very slightly), quirkier rerun of Pretty Woman stretched out to 2 ½ hours. Everything that’s unusual about it is bad. It’s basically four parts, all of which have good bits, but only the last is actually good. First part is endless vignettes of Ani and Ivan getting it on—much footage of Ani displaying her gorgeous body. Ohboy, did the director and Academy Bigwigs have fun with this part. Yes, said vignettes are building their relationship, such as it is, but ENDLESS. Second part is ENDLESS replay of the same scene, heroine struggles with badish guys who demand to know where Ivan has run off to. Third part is ENDLESS vignettes of the hunt for Ivan. Fourth part, we confront the family and have actual dialogue and storytelling. Excellent, but watching it I do not think Best Picture.Best Editing? The actual shot by shot editing was good, often clever, but suffered from the ENDLESSNESS of the first three parts.Best Script???????? The first three quarters of the movie has maybe a couple of dozen lines repeated in ENDLESS variations with f***ing being every third word. I don’t mind verisimilitude. I mind f***ing boring. Fourth part very well written.Best Actress? Maybe. She embodied the role beautifully. I haven’t seen the other performances. Ivan was also a great, flashy performance and the bodyguard Igor was beautifully underplayed.Best Movie??????????????????? See above. My husband and I were just baffled. If it hadn't won all those Oscars, I would probably have quit after 10 minutes.

This film has several layers to it. The first 20 minutes is soft porn, which then evolves into a love story. Then comes the body of the film which is hilarious comedy. It then turns into emotional drama until its unsatisfying ending. More than unsatisfying, it was a terrible ending. I guess its Best Picture Oscar nomination is plausible, but not its win. (A matter of taste, granted. But "Conclave" was much more deserving.) As for the disc itself, the quality is beautiful as expected. However, if you want to view the extras, they are all on a separate disc.