The Academy Award-nominated film hits Philippine cinemas today, here are our thoughts on it. Minor spoilers ahead
Awards season may have leaned towards Barbenheimer (and for good reason), however, right behind these blockbuster giants is Searchlight Pictures’ “Poor Things.”
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone, the film has managed to win two (2) out of seven (7) nominations in the recent Golden Globes. Not to mention, the title also has 11 nominations in the upcoming Oscars, most notably for Best Picture, Best Actress (Stone), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), and Best Director (Lanthimos).
“Poor Things” tells the tale of the “fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.”
From the mind of Yorgos Lanthimos
Lanthimos’ latest blends nuanced political satire with a hyperrealist Frankenstein’s Monster-esque premise. The film uses Bella as a blank canvas to explore human nature at its purest, as it is freed from societal norms. With the innocence of a child, Bella often finds herself puzzled by the purpose and merits of normalized rules and standards others subject themselves to—in other words, she finds them ridiculous.
Sexuality is a theme the film leans very heavily on, and Bella continuously grapples with its frequent restriction throughout her travels. Her character was built so that she never found anything wrong with enjoying sex or frequently engaging in it.
In her case, it is both a source of pleasure and a way of getting what she wants—a transactional view on the matter that often also leads to her abuse.
READ: All the Must-Watch Movies Coming this February
Fear surrounding this exploration of female sexuality was one of the many reasons Stone wanted to play Bella. She explains, “There is a different mentality around sex in Europe versus America, which baffles Yorgos. Having known him for almost seven years now, it also baffles me as an American. We can watch so much violence and pain inflicted on people in a mass way in America, but nudity and sexuality are shocking to us. Whereas it’s the opposite in Yorgos’ mind.”
Alasdair Gray, the author of the “Poor Things” novel the film is based on, added, “Bella’s representation of woman sexuality is more in line with today’s landscape rather than thirty years ago. She is able to explore sex without feelings of guilt, which makes her a modern heroine.”
Lanthimos is a BAFTA-winning and four-time Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director. His most recent feature film, “The Favourite,” premiered in 2018 at the 75th Venice Film Festival. The title went on to receive five (5) Golden Globes, 12 BAFTAs, and 10 Oscar nominations.
His next film, “Kinds of Kindness,” also stars Stone and Dafoe, as well as Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and Joe Alwyn.
Emma Stone’s fascinating take on childlike wonder
Describing the experience of portraying Bella, Stone says, “It felt like an unlocking and acceptance of what it is to be a woman and to be brave and free. Socially you’re so wired to think, ‘do people like me?’ She’s not thinking about that.”
And without care for others does she perform—unhinged and unapologetically so, rightfully warranting her numerous nominations and awards. This is arguably her finest performance yet.
Stone does not play a child, but rather, what it means to be one. And with that comes the portrayal of someone so curious about themselves and the world around them.
READ: “Argylle” Review: Reality and Fiction Intersect in Matthew Vaughn’s Latest Spy Thriller
“Bella’s representation of woman sexuality is more in line with today’s landscape rather than thirty years ago. She is able to explore sex without feelings of guilt, which makes her a modern heroine.”
A stellar supporting cast
Accompanying Stone’s laudable display were equally impressive performances by her co-stars, particularly Ruffalo.
As Duncan Wedderburn, Ruffalo is comical, depraved, and just as unhinged as Stone herself. His initial attraction for Bella is soon unmasked as a desire to maintain control over her. He wants to keep her to himself and act just the way he wants. And while a despicable personality through and through, Duncan remains a relatable figure, and in true Mark Ruffalo fashion, the primary source of laughter in the theater. The “Avengers” star might just land his first Academy Award win.
Joining Stone, Ruffalo, and Dafoe are Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael, Hanna Schygulla, Kathryn Hunter, and Margaret Qualley.
“Poor Things” is directed by Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara based on the novel by Alasdair Gray. The film is produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Lanthimos, and Stone. The film is out now in local cinemas nationwide.
Watch the trailer below.
