While he is unmistakably a unique voice in cinema, I'm not as big of a fan of Yorgos Lanthimos as many critics and cinephiles tend to be. I sometimes feel that his films focus more on attempting to provoke and shock the viewer rather than, and at the expense of, putting compelling storytelling first. While his quirky and risqué new film "Poor Things" doesn't completely overcome that concern, it is a step in the right direction from a storytelling perspective. An occasionally rudderless plot and some not very well developed supporting characters prevents it from being a home run, but it's still a solid film that should please independent film lovers who know what they're getting themselves into.
The film centers on Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back to life with the brain of her baby by Goodwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe, who Bella refers to as "God.") The movie primarily centers around Bella's development and autonomy as she begins to understand the world around her, including her relationships with two very different men and her gradual questioning of her purpose and desire for liberation within the confines of a patriarchal society, particularly as it relates to sex. Despite some darker undertones, this premise has plenty of fodder for humor, which Lanthimos delivers. There is deadpan and screwball-style humor in various places throughout the film that feels clever and incisive, although some jokes feel a bit too forced or repetitive. The jokes and writing are complemented by the performances, which are generally very good but not always optimally effective in displaying a strong range. Emma Stone is great, however, as Bella. The supporting cast is generally good, including Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe and Ramy Youssef, although I would not necessarily say any of them uniquely stand out. What does stand out within the confines of the narrative, however, is the film's stunning production design of fantastical Victorian Europe, which is stunning to look at and combines a variety of unique aesthetic choices and color palettes to great success. The film probably didn't need to be nearly two and a half hours long, and some scenes feel a bit dragged out or lacking in purpose, yet the outrageous and blackly comic tone accentuated by the bold stylistic choices on display here make the film a worthwhile viewing experience. Recommended to those okay with graphic sexual material. 7/10.
The film centers on Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back to life with the brain of her baby by Goodwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe, who Bella refers to as "God.") The movie primarily centers around Bella's development and autonomy as she begins to understand the world around her, including her relationships with two very different men and her gradual questioning of her purpose and desire for liberation within the confines of a patriarchal society, particularly as it relates to sex. Despite some darker undertones, this premise has plenty of fodder for humor, which Lanthimos delivers. There is deadpan and screwball-style humor in various places throughout the film that feels clever and incisive, although some jokes feel a bit too forced or repetitive. The jokes and writing are complemented by the performances, which are generally very good but not always optimally effective in displaying a strong range. Emma Stone is great, however, as Bella. The supporting cast is generally good, including Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe and Ramy Youssef, although I would not necessarily say any of them uniquely stand out. What does stand out within the confines of the narrative, however, is the film's stunning production design of fantastical Victorian Europe, which is stunning to look at and combines a variety of unique aesthetic choices and color palettes to great success. The film probably didn't need to be nearly two and a half hours long, and some scenes feel a bit dragged out or lacking in purpose, yet the outrageous and blackly comic tone accentuated by the bold stylistic choices on display here make the film a worthwhile viewing experience. Recommended to those okay with graphic sexual material. 7/10.