Anora

It took me a long time to watch this movie and I regret waiting so long. I have always been a fan of "romantic relationships" that don't work out by the end of the film, I find it realistic especially based on the progression of the relationship throughout the film. Starting off with the performance of the main character, Anora. I find her character to be an accurate representation of a typical sex worker. She fears vulnerability (purposefully switching the conversation back onto Ivan whenever he starts asking her personal questions) and has a distrust in men which is understandable given the experiences she has had with them in her line of work. Although I do wish to have seen more of her "hopes/dreams," I see why they left it out. Sex work is face-value and the film shows every character in that exact same way, nothing more nothing less. Moving on to my second favorite character, Igor. Igor is the only one who sees Anora for more than what she presents to the world. Because of this, every moment when we see the the vulnerable side of her is only when Igor is there witnessing it, in the car when looking for Ivan, outside of the plane before going to Vegas, on the plane, and of course the ending scene. Now what solidified this movie to becoming very special to me is the final scene. Igor giving her the ring and the only way Anora knows how to show gratitude is to have sex with him. Out of the few sex scenes between Anora and Ivan we never see them kiss or be truly intimate, it always comes off as casual sex rather than love making. So when Igor grabs Anora's face, looking into her eyes and pulling her in for a kiss, she starts to freak out. The fear of vulnerability is what she feels initially but then she finally lets go, realizing that she is safe and cared for and cries in his arms. All in all, everyone had great performances and they felt authentic.