Anora

i’m glad to say i enjoyed this a fair bit more than i was expecting. despite the high praise it has been getting, i was hesitant to watch it because i did not like the concept of the story, but what i feared it would be only fit into the first act.  after a first act that i feel indifferent towards at best and strongly dislike at worst, it picks up the pace and saves itself, thanks to the tremendous performances of all actors involved, especially mikey madison, as well as the perfect blend of comedy and emotion. not my favorite movie of 2024, but mikey madison deserves the oscar (unless the substance changes my mind when i get to it).  balancing out the fact i did not like the first act, but thoroughly enjoyed the rest, im sitting somewhere around a 7/10. could see this changing in either direction.