Anora

Anora-Amazon Prime

Anora is a low-budget film ($6m) that tells the heartfelt story of a working girl from Brooklyn who finds herself in a place she could not have imagined. Anora, or Ani as she prefers to be called, is a stripper and sometimes prostitute from Brooklyn. She is introduced to Russian clients at the club since she speaks Russian. This is what sets the film in motion. She is introduced to Vanya, the son of a Russian oligarch who comes from extraordinary wealth. Vanya is a hedonist with the mind of a horny fifteen-year-old in the body of a horny twenty-one man. His sexual exploits are comparable to a rabbit in heat.

Ani is overwhelmed by extravagant wealth. She is Cinderella from Brighton Beach. Vanya lives in a mansion with an ocean view. It is an endless party. The apex of this perpetual partying is a trip to Las Vegas for a quick marriage. From here, the dream turns on Ani.  

Mikey Madison plays Ani. She does an excellent job balancing vulnerability and toughness. As much as she wants to believe in this dream, she is too street-smart to know it will last. Besides her beauty and willowy body, she is a fighter, taking on fellow strippers and the henchmen Vanya’s parents send. She delivers an outstanding performance in this little film.

Mark Edelstein plays Vanya. He is Russian, and so is his accent. He is the stereotype of the uber-self-centered, irresponsible twenty-four-hour party boy. He showers Ani with one extravagant experience after another. Coming from Brooklyn, this is a different reality.

The movie takes a turn when Vanya’s parents send their henchmen to bring Vanya back to Russia. These are not the brutal Russian criminals portrayed in films like Eastern Promises; they are more bumbling. It is enjoyable how Ani kicks their ass and makes their lives miserable.

If scenes of copulation, nudity, or creative use of the F words offend you, this is not your movie.

This film received Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and won the Cannes Palm d’Or in 2024. It received a 94% score from Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not bad for Brighton Beach. The film cost $9.99 to watch. Hey, why not?