Poor Things
Mild Spoilers for Poor Things Ahead (no plot points but like yeah)
Poor Things is an amazing sci-fi romance comedy that truly deserved its four Oscars. Just want to start off by saying Yorgos Lanthimos’ (director) vision and style pair perfectly with Tony McNamara’s (writer) screenplay.
The production in this movie is phenomenal, with the costume department and cinematography standing out in particular. That’s where it won its Oscars. The use of lenses in this film is stunning, with the Petzval lens being the highlight. It’s fantastic for portrait shots and made me feel like I was being pulled into a vortex.
I also loved how the first 30 minutes of the film are in black and white, and once Bella sets off on her “adventure,” it shifts to color. It’s reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, with Bella being stuck in her creator’s home representing Kansas, a symbol of infancy and innocence. The sudden burst of color reflects Bella’s newfound awareness and the vibrancy of her experiences as she begins to learn and grow.
The costume designer does an incredible job with Emma Stone’s outfits, using them to mirror her emotions throughout the film, especially in the opening scene. Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone make a fantastic duo, with Bella’s naivety creating genuinely funny and memorable moments.
Bella’s evolution is captivating as she learns how to move through the world, speak for herself, and ultimately discover who she is. As she encounters different forms of control and manipulation, she begins to question the expectations placed on women by society. Through her experiences with the men she meets, Bella develops a powerful sense of independence and self-worth. She strives to choose her own path and refuses to be defined solely by her sexuality or her relationships with men.