Poor Things (2023) User Reviews

Though about it for days and don't know what to make of it.

[ohenderson-04319 · 9/10 · 23 January 2024]

Funny, but disturbing. Shocking, but light hearted. Somewhere between Frakenstein's monster and a teenage coming of age film.

Having spent days thinking about it, I still don't know what to make of this film, other than that it was thoroughly engaging and as unique as anything I've seen.

As a fairly casual cinema viewer when the film started in black and white with completely abstract scenes, I groaned inwardly. If this was to be the entire film, I honestly believed I would have left before the hour mark.

But slowly, the film took hold. There are some interesting ethical and moral questions included, which the film passes no judgement on, merely leaving it to the viewer. I don't know what to think and this made me love every minute of it.

This film is not for everyone and is clearly aimed more at the arts crowd and awards than the average viewer, but as someone who is not an arty type, but enjoys something different, this film fits the bill.

The paradox of belonging

[giuliajeanofficial · 9/10 · 2 February 2024]

This film is a journey through the absurdities of life that are conventionally accepted by society.

Bella is brought back to life by a scientist who swapped her brain with the one of a newborn, so she sees and experience the world without any social lens and she is indeed free from all the little things that cage us - she doesn't marry the guy her "father" wants her to marry, she's curious, seeks adventure and she looks at sex as a way to make herself feel happy.

I don't know if i read it correctly, but one of the themes that I see in this movie is the "belonging", as in "if I belong to someone I have to make sacrifices in order to be with that person, or I need to behave in a certain way to be worthy of this person", which has been a leitmotif of women's lives though out the centuries.

With Bella we don't see this kind of dynamic, because she acts only to make herself feel joy and happiness, so her happiness doesn't belong outside of anyone else and she has power over it.

Bella teaches us the importance of freedom at all costs, even when we are making the worst decision but it's OUR decision and we will face the consequences of it.

Love is often mistaken with possess, God loves Bella = he wants her to never leave her house.

The Lawyer loves her = he kidnaps her and brings her on a boat.

I personally love that she never feels sorry or desperate or in need to be saved, she is her own hero!

I really loved the fact that there are no good or bad characters, everyone has flaws and perks, even the protagonist herself.

Emma Stone is INCREDIBLE in this, she made me forgot she was acting, Defoe gives us a genius portrait of a mad genius, without being a caricature.

This has to be my favorite out of all the Lanthimos movies.

The Weirdest Masterpiece I've Seen in Many Years

[kjproulx · 10/10 · 6 January 2024]

For the reason that I'm completely unsure who this film is aimed at (aside from film lovers like myself), I will not be recommending this one, but I'll also state that this is one of my favourite films in years. If that intrigues you, then maybe Poor Things is your cup of tea. Yorgos Lanthimos is a director with a clear vision that I deeply admire. I don't love all of his work, but the worst I can say about any of his films is that I appreciate them. Well, Poor Things just jumped to the top of my list of favourite Lanthimos pictures. This is a pure work of art, in the weirdest, most bizarre way possible. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the brilliance of Poor Things. Let's dive right in.

The film begins as Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) finds the dead body of a pregnant woman. After taking her corpse to his lab, he makes an incision and removes the baby from her body. He then takes out the woman's brain and replaces it with her baby's brain. Then, much like in the style of Frankenstein, he reanimates the body and she comes to life. He refers to her as Bella (Emma Stone) and refuses to let her leave home. Much like an infant, Bella learns to walk, speak, and also learns every detail of her body. Upon meeting Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), the two of them form a connection and flock away to roam the world together and get very intimate. That's the jist of what sets this film in motion, so if that already turns you off, I would recommend not watching it.

If you're still intrigued, well then this film is a masterpiece. This story is told in a very unique style. As they visit real places in the world, it's done in an incredibly artistic and surreal way. This film is aware that the premise is impossible, so it makes the visuals and details match the absurdity and I couldn't get enough of it. The production designers, art directors, set decorator, costume designer, and the makeup department all deserve endless praise for their work here. They brought Lanthimos' vision to life in stunning fashion. The look of this film blew me away, on top of me already loving the wackiness of the story.

Honestly, all I want to do is gush about this film. The camerawork, the score, every performance, and even the incredibly worded dialogue all just made this a remarkable achievement. Emma Stone deserves an Oscar for her performance here too. I haven't seen such an odd performance done this well and this committed in quite some time. She's a true revelation here and her chemistry with Mark Ruffalo was hilarious. He also deserves all of the recognition he's receiving for this.

Poor Things is a very rare kind of filmmaking that doesn't come around very often. Yes, it's weird beyond what words could ever describe and I even watched a couple of people walk out of my screening, but I just can't feel that way. The craft onscreen is undeniable and I could only dream of ever being able to make a film this masterful. In every conceivable way, I believe this is my favourite film of 2023. If you're someone who is up for watching anything and willing to give anything a shot, I seriously can't recommend this film enough. I'm currently adding it to my list of favourites, ever.

Odd, very interesting, uncomfortable to some, misunderstood by many

[nickevangelopoulos · 8/10 · 29 January 2024]

This is a very unusual movie. I enjoyed watching it, even though it felt awkward at times (as promised by the creators and many reviewers). In my opinion, many users who gave it a 1/10, missed the point. For sure, it is a movie for very mature and sophisticated audiences. It contains a lot of ugly truths about the world, so don't watch it if those bother you. (Don't watch it with teenagers, either, wait until they are 20 or 21.) I appreciated the creative direction, cinematography, and Emma Stone's acting talent. The plot covers multiple aspects of privilege and abuse in thought-provoking ways. On a very high level, you could say that it has some similarities to Barbie, but a very different approach. It is almost the anti-Barbie. The contrast between these two 2023 movies is definitely worth a class discussion in some graduate course of film criticism.

Challenging the conventional with unconventional

[giovziz · 9/10 · 21 February 2024]

On a hot note, a very good film. It leaves room for reflection, for thought, for very interesting considerations. Also interesting is the atypical method, the unusual technique used to emphasize how raw the reality of human nature is. Precisely because it is raw, it is repressed by numerous social customs, conventions, and habits sometimes unjustified, more often senseless, and even more often so automatic that they are now considered "evening prayer." This also makes one ponder the possibility that human nature is itself conflated as a concept. For, crude and bestial as it is, it can also leave room for compassion, perhaps precisely to protect that part of its species that crudeness cannot accept. Also must be considered very well-written characters, very well written, phenomenal evolution of everyone. Very good colours. Very good cinematography. The script sometimes provocative, more often disturbing, manages to raise awareness of a more raw and natural, more original emotional part that often lies dormant. This is one of those films that has the power and characteristics to make you reconsider the human as a species or the human as an animal. It is one of those films that makes you reconsider the madman or the drunk that you hear talking aloud to yourself on your way home from the movies.

It is one of those films that, in my opinion, can be liked or disliked, but something will always leave a person with something if they make an effort to go beyond the superficial image of the video and instead engage in analyzing the motif of the film.

Often the "natural" behaviour is censored, hidden, by the "polite society" Harry speaks of (the man in the boat) that "it will destroy you", conventions that erase the naked, dirty and bestial as well as unique and original nature of the human, to make room for something always produced by him, but precisely to protect those who cannot accept this nature.

Incredible

[millsdavis · 10/10 · 4 March 2024]

Everything from the script to cinematography to music. The beautiful story told about how we are stolen from our innocence by the world of perversion. So confusing to me that anyone dislike the film or misconstrue it for being crass or over the top. The story it tells is absolutely beautiful. The fact that people don't like it on the account of it being "creepy" and "groomy" is exactly what the movie is calling out- ironic!

The unsettling music that plays throughout and the way the film coloration moves as she matures and develops her vocabulary and motor skills is subtle but very apparent in other ways.

Incredible film- what a fantastic director.

Check out another great from him Calle DogTooth.

A child in a women's body has tons of sex

[mcdonaldparis-83809 · 6/10 · 15 March 2024]

I usually like quirky original movies, and there are a lot of individual elements that are great in this film such as the character's, acting, and world, but at its core this film has little to say and is deeply disturbing.

The core premises of this film without giving too much away is that a child's mind resides in a woman's body. The child is maybe 1-2 years old but no older than 5 and the plot is how much this kid has sex with other adult men.

I felt deeply uncomfortable thinking about a toddler discovering sexual organs and having wild sex and masturbating constantly and publicly because they don't know any better. Some people may say "that's not the point of the film" but it's a purposeful and prominent aspect that gets heavy emphasis throughout the entire run-time.

It feel like the writer wanted to tell the cliched story of the naïvety of a child but also wanted to tell a story about how promiscuous women upset insecure men and I think it's wildly inappropriate or just a bad idea in general to mix those two stories together. Wouldn't you think so?

Which is too bad because I liked everything else surrounding the premise. The cast was perfectly cast and Mark Ruffalo's terrible English accent, although distracting, was very fitting for his phoney shallow character and Gondi loved every second of him on screen. The world was rich and realized, every shot was interesting and the music was fantastic, I just wish it didn't all hinge on such a creepy "what if a kid had a lot of sex".

Not to mention there was a scene where two literal children watched a man and woman have sex. It was played for laughs and it was funny on its own as a concept because it's so absurd, but it made me wonder why twice now we're focusing on underaged people witnessing or engaging in sex acts.

I can see people being upset and getting defensive because if they liked the film maybe I'm saying they're a bad person or something, I'm not saying that. If you think all these aspects are fine then by all means enjoy the film, but I think it's fair to be critical on something like this and think about why some decisions were made when making this film. Like I said, there is a lot to love and if the premise doesn't bother you then you will love this movie.

I'm not a prude, have as much sex with whoever you want or however you want it, just maybe keep the theme of kids away from it.

Chaotically Beautiful

[pjrynewicz · 9/10 · 21 February 2024]

Without attempting to analyze the film, only judging it based on the feeling I had while watching, it was incredible. From start to finish, I was transported into the strange world surrounding Bella Baxter, comfortably watching her move through life.

Upon further inspection, the films themes are a daring and hilarious take on self-discovery, splotched with eccentric, clashing, and beautifully fantastic elements.

The film's visual and creative design are wonderful. Childlike Halloween wonder combined with fantastical realism.

Lastly, it was hilarious. Mark Ruffalo should win two oscars. One for The Best Made Up Accent and the other for Strangest Comic Relief.

Emma Stone was a triumph, along with Willem Dafoe and the rest of the cast. An incredible movie.

Garbage

[mariagscalia-73482 · 1 March 2024]

As a sexual and open minded person, this movie was just garbage. Visuals were the only thing that can be praised.

Baby brain placed in dead mother's body...sounds like a fun start as a horror fan. However, old men having sex with baby brain woman and calling it feminism cause she's to mentally immature to understand what they are doing is wrong. Bulls*it. Honestly, people were gasping at a sexy Irishmen slurping up bath water and calling it offensive, while this piece if garbage was nominated for Oscars... What were these actors even thinking? I love everyone in this cast! I don't understand what world we are living in.

Don't believe the Oscar hype. Skip this. Watch Saltburn. Or Oppenheimer. Or Barbie. Anything is better than this.

Risque empirical rationalism and the human spirit

[dcrapapple · 9/10 · 17 March 2024]

This is a beautifully rendered tale of a woman growing and maturing to a person that does not care what fops and jerks think. She refuses to be limited by how she was made and is curious about all facets of life.

The characters and sets are exaggerated so there's a hue of surreal throughout but the story itself follows familiar plot development so not what I'd call surreal. The characters are all flawed in various ways, making it fundamentally quite realistic underneath the bizarre face of it.

Many compare to Frankenstein though this is the inverse of Shelley's tale. Her monster is as brilliant as Bella, but Shelley's monster becomes embittered and angry at the world's rejection. It is incapable of transcending it's maker into something beyond the sum of its parts and spirals into despair and lust for revenge. Bella is more fierce in that she refuses the acquiesce to "polite society" or any she find reprehensible. She defines her own values and morality based on empathy and free exchange of ideas.

If you think book burnings are great and/or have a Jesus-ee stick up your ass, you probably won't like it because those indicate the limit of your perspective. It's a big middle finger to faux morality front used to cover levels of societal controls such as religion and aggressive ignorance.

Bella is strong, capable and free. She runs toward experience in order to free herself from patriarchies in various forms seeking to limit her, even those that purport to care about her. She is not rescued nor does she seek it. She is the hero of her own story. If you don't like it, then Bella would probably tell you that's your problem not the film.

A reminder that ratings are subjective. Warning: DON't watch it with your parents!

[yj-c-70356 · 6/10 · 13 February 2024]

This film is a reminder that ratings are actually almost entirely subjective, and that no matter how acclaimed or highly rated it is, you can be disappointed. In fact, the more you pin your expectation based on amazing ratings, the more likely you are to be disappointed. So my mistake on that part.

WAY too many unnecessarily explicit and long sex scenes.

Slow moving.

All the more interesting things happen in the plot at the very end.

Bella's 'discoveries' of aspects of the world are deep and meaningful, especially her discovery of inequality and indifference of humanity to others' suffering.

Funny and quirky with an interesting plot, but I just really don't agree with the +8/10 rating.

Not for me

[parksiet · 4/10 · 31 December 2023]

Poor Things simply just wasn't for me. I really don't like to say I hate a movie... so we'll just go with "it wasn't for me". I did appreciate the production design and performances, but a lot of the cinematography and writing/directing choices just didn't work for me. Just a little too weird for my tastes. And felt way too long. I wanted to like it so bad, and was so disappointed to find myself disliking it so much.

I know it's been getting good reviews from most people - I'm in the minority here! So if you're interested, definitely check it out! I'm a huge supporter of going to see a film if you are interested in it and deciding for yourself how you feel!

Insane masterpiece

[ana_grozea · 9/10 · 18 February 2024]

I am not sure where to start, but you have to go and see this movie.

I am not even going to comment on the dark amazing humor, the absolutely insane script and the way the actors bring to life the characters. There is no denying on the excellence of the delivery.

However I would like to draw your attention to the mastery of the director. The camera angles that bring in focus the characters and the journey of Bella that is painted throughout the movie, starting from the black and white simple-minded creature, to the character that discoveers a life full of experiences and full of color in Lisbon, to the red anger on the ship and the darker palette of her time in Paris to a pastel life in the end. Absolutely amazing 👏

Loved it!

[tomkinnear · 9/10 · 22 February 2024]

In "Poor Things," Willem Dafoe delivers a standout performance that showcases his incredible range as an actor, solidifying his status as one of the industry's most versatile talents. Dafoe's portrayal of Dr. Archibald "Archie" McCandless in this darkly comedic film is nothing short of remarkable, infusing the character with a perfect balance of charm, wit, and complexity.

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, "Poor Things" is a surreal and twisted tale that follows the story of Bella Baxter, played brilliantly by Emma Stone, a young woman brought back to life through an experiment orchestrated by Dr. McCandless. As Bella navigates her newfound existence, she grapples with questions of identity, agency, and morality, all against the backdrop of a bizarre and unpredictable world.

Dafoe's performance as Dr. McCandless is a masterclass in character acting, as he effortlessly embodies the eccentricities and contradictions of the morally ambiguous scientist. With his trademark intensity and magnetic screen presence, Dafoe brings depth and humanity to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional. His interactions with Bella, played by Stone, are electrifying, showcasing the chemistry between the two actors and adding layers of complexity to their dynamic.

Emma Stone's performance as Bella is equally impressive, demonstrating her versatility as an actress as she effortlessly transitions between moments of vulnerability and strength. As Bella grapples with the consequences of Dr. McCandless's experiment, Stone imbues the character with a sense of resilience and determination, making her journey both compelling and relatable.

Despite its dark subject matter and disturbing themes, "Poor Things" is a visually stunning and thematically rich film that defies categorization. Lanthimos's unique directorial style, combined with the stellar performances of Dafoe and Stone, elevates the film to a work of art that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.

"Poor Things" is a testament to the power of cinema to challenge, provoke, and inspire, and Dafoe's performance is a shining example of the transformative power of great acting. As Dr. McCandless, he leaves an indelible mark on the audience, reminding us once again why he is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Feminine Quirky Vintage fairytale

[tellmamaxx · 9/10 · 8 January 2024]

As a fan of scary fairytale films, surreal films, the bride of Frankenstein and Lanthimos, I was looking forward to watch Poor Things along time now

Even so, I had the thought that the director couldn't do better/overcome The lobster. (My most favorite Lanthimos film so far)

But I'm glad that's not what happened.

An amazing production design, costumes, performances and original score (especially that!) that made a shockingly match to the film

I will not say again about Stone's interpretation because a lot has already been said and she was truly brilliant.

What really excited me was to change my mind about actor Mark Ruffalo, who I considered to be of limited potential.

I know now, how wrong I was. I absolutely loved and admired his acting in Poor things. (I declare a fan of him from now and on!) And if I were a member of the Academy, I would definitely give him the actor's Oscar in a supporting role without a second thought!

And not forget to mention the Icing on the cake: the appearance of the iconic German actress Hanna Schygulla (Rainer Werner Fassbinder's protégé) in a surprising little role

The film had all the elements to make it a unique, exciting experience. Quirky, vintage and edgy, pushes the boundaries and opens new cinematographic horizons.

Not for the prudish or the squeamish.

If you decide to watch it, go see it with an open mind.

PS : not mentioned Willem Dafoe above, on purpose. The man is a chameleon. And above criticism. Who am I to judge this wonderful actor?

Actually, the whole cast was flawless...

PPS: If you liked this, speed and watch "the tale of tales" from Matteo Garrone.

Emma Stone at her Best

[audreyfok-453-432447 · 9/10 · 6 December 2023]

I had high hopes knowing that this was a Yorgos film, but was also hesitant because not all of his films I loved... However, this might have been the best film he's done so far. Emma Stone is a scene stealer. If she doesn't get at least an Oscar nomination for this role, I'd be stunned. Stunning set design, cinematography, use of colors, and overall, fantastic story on feminism. Highly recommend this to anyone, though I feel most people would either love this or hate this. Plenty of laughs, but also plenty of endearing moments that truly make you think. Yorgos is an auteur, and I look forward to his future films.

Hilarious, bizarre and a philosophically very dark comedy - cinema at its finest!

[heywhatsupman · 7 September 2023]

Hilarious, bizarre and a philosophically very dark comedy - cinema at its finest!

I just watched this film at the Biennale Festival in Venice and I'm totally mesmerized by it: This is as good as cinema can get!!!

The film dares to ask boldly all the deepest und most relevant questions in our life.

A philosophical journey of questioning the established values of the society, the concept of morality and the true meaning of life itself. An absolutely brilliant performance, especially by Emma Stone (I'm quite sure she will win an Oscar for this!), a fantastic set and costume design, I'm not even getting started on storytelling, cinematography and editing... Oh Yorgos oh Yorgos!

I would love to watch it again immediately as soon as it is out in theaters.

PS: I have only one wish regarding music: Tom Waits would have gone very well with this. In my head Tom was playing while I watched the film.

An amazing film, but definitely not for all people

[renhudspizza · 6/10 · 17 March 2024]

Poor Things is as if Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson made Edward Scissorhands, but Edward was a girl, and way more talkative. (Also not scissors for hands, thank Godwin for her!)

Emma Stone laid herself bare (for 50% of the film) and deserves her Oscar.

Kudos to the winners for Production Design (winner by a mile, the complexity), Makeup and Hairstyling, and Costume Design.

The only flaw was the terribly wooden performance by Jerrod Carmichael who I would like to recommend for the Golden Raspberry awards. It was if he was in a grade school play as Tree #2 and unfortunately had lines.

It is sad that many people are giving this bad reviews just because it is not their kind of movie. Maybe do a little bit more research and watch movies you will actually like.

Speaking of Wes Anderson, I had trouble watching both The French Dispatch and Asteroid City. They just weren't compelling to me. But I found Poor Things really compelling throughout.

Weirdly Exquisite

[iomike101 · 9/10 · 21 January 2024]

Emma Stone's performance is jaw dropping. The movie is a masterpiece like an Einstein Frankenstein. I'd say this is 2023 best movie of the year.

I'd never thought Emma would star in such a role. She did a phenomenal performance with ease and professionalism. I still admire her bug eyes.

The movie is unconventionally bizarre with things that would be classified from a Christian's perspective as abominable. Quite some variable feminist elements in the film, yet still fringe.

This is by far my favorite movie of 2023 and I admire Emma Stone's acting abilities. If you haven't seen "Poor Things", I recommend watching it.

6.5/10. Overrated

[athanasiosze · 6/10 · 12 March 2024]

1) The misandry is strong in this one. Not surprising though, seems that this is the Holywood way from now on : Every man is dumb or pathetic or disgusting or criminal or childish. Condemning toxic masculinity is one thing. Condemning masculinity in its entirety, is another.

2) Seems also that in order to achieve Enlightment, you have to be a sex worker. It's so obvious i wonder why noone thought about this in the entire Human History. I guess Lanthimos is a pioneer. A Marco Polo of Wisdom. It made me so uncomfortable watching Stone's character dealing with this disgusting debauchery (I mean the "Paris" segment). But i guess it's a sign of toxic masculinity if you don't like watching a woman get humiliated. Lanthimos is beloved in Holywood because obviously he preaches Women empowerment. I didn't know that Humiliation/Depression = Empowerment. Happy to find out.

3) Sarcasm aside, this could ve a very good movie. I am a man but i would gladly watch a movie showing a woman's path to Self Actualization. Until the PARIS segment, i thought that this movie is something like that. And i was enjoying it. A very good dark fairy tale/comedy drama fantasy. Not just funny but even hilarious at times. German Expressionism meets Terry Gilliam or something like that. A visually stunning movie with GREAT acting. Stone was magnificent but the other actors were amazing too (Dafoe, Ruffalo, Carmichael etc). Not a brilliant movie but a clever one. I wish that Jerrod Carmichael had more screen time, his character was very interesting. But i don't wanna nitpick it, it was a good movie overall. Even with the misandry element.

However, the PARIS segment ruined this movie. Literally, one of the most unnecessary parts of all time. Meaningless, empty, vulgar. Even misogynistic i'd say.

And, of course, the ending. A ridiculously simplistic and naive ending for all brain dead people to enjoy.

A most sublime movie

[hubertanunes · 9/10 · 3 January 2024]

Poor things is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) and is supported with a strong cast, namely Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe.

The first impression you get from this movie is bizarre to say the least. In fact, it takes some time to get used to the ambiance which is nothing short of macabre. And surely, this impression lasts throughout the whole movie; but this feeling of weirdness and incomprehension serves the plot and in this sense, is most welcome. Eventually, there comes a time where, inevitably, and without even realizing it, you are suctioned right in, never to escape again. And you are glad to be trapped in what is essentially pit of limitless pleasure.

Indeed, one of the things the movie does very well is make you, along with the protagonist, embark on an adventure. Sure, you might have been to the places the protagonist went to, but those are presented in a most wonderful way. The aesthetics are magnificient and otherworldly. I do not know how they did it, but I remember being in awe and it is a feeling that I will cherish for a lifetime. It is truly a sight to behold.

It is the kind of movie which makes you feel grateful to be alive.

Poor Thing

[jalapenochili · 6/10 · 27 January 2024]

I'm a fan of Lanthimos but this film was ironically the "poorest" of his among those i've watched. I thought of the idea and the style to be very interesting from the trailers and inevitably i was very excited to see this film in the theater after a long wait (thanks to the great marketing efforts). Yet, i was very disappointed to find myself disliking it throughout the viewing.

I don't have much to say about the production design and cinematography other than I found those parts of the film mesmerizing and unique, as expected. What I didn't expect was the writing and storytelling to be so cheap and at some points annoying. I understand that there is an intent to create wittiness and absurdness to give a light tone to the movie but it really felt forced and predictable to me most of the time. Honestly, i didn't laugh more than 2 or 3 scenes in the movie and they weren't even that memorable.

I also found Bella's character development rushed and out of nowhere at the ending bits of the film. I really don't want to get into the other characters because non of them i found to be interesting nor well written sadly. Also, the topics this film takes on and the themes it tries to delve into were stayed on the surface in my opinion. About what it is like to become an adult from a child's perspective, about choices of women and how they are treated in the society, about the poor and the rich, about being a human in the modern world, and many more.

Moreover, I would've loved delving deeper into the sensitive sides of Bella and her connection with her mother. Maybe we could've seen some parts of what ignited and caused her mother's suicide rather than seeing a maniac ex-husband holding a gun all the time and then we say "Aha! It makes sense now about her mother jumping from the bridge". Maybe it could've been a cliche but i think i would've rather seeing Bella to realize who she was at the end of the movie rather than in the beginning, just for the sake of witnessing her realization and reaction when she grew up as her surgery would be kept as a secret from her would be more emotional in my opinion.

Sorry for this long review but there were many thoughts i wanted to let it out. Maybe among the points i made, some were a glimpse of positive things, but sadly and mostly it was more about the poor things...

Ridiculous and so disappointing

[ccd-172-366308 · 3/10 · 8 March 2024]

I am a huge fan of The Favourite, The Lobster, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Those movies were thoughtful, clever, and just truly stunning and original. This movie was pointless and boring. It wasn't empowering in the least. It tried. Really, really hard. It wasn't deep, every moment of it was clearly for shock value. Does having a ton of sex with different men make you a liberated woman? Ridiculous and heavy handed. I guess those of us who don't like it don't *get it*...it's art after all! It shouldn't make sense!

The cinematography was gorgeous, I'll give it that. And I was happy to see Ramy Youssef in a big movie because he's fantastic. Mark Ruffalo should never attempt any accents, ever, and I think he's wonderful otherwise. Oof. So bad. Emma is better than this. So so disappointing!

My favorite characters were the animals roaming the property. They should've given more lines to the chicken dog.

My favorite film of 2023

[zmroth · 10/10 · 4 January 2024]

Clocked in right at the end of the year. A friend of mine mentioned this movie, and unfamiliar with Yorgos' work prior to this, I was in for a real treat. The surrealism is captured perfectly throughout the film. Emma Stone gives an oscar worthy performance, but don't sleep on Mark Ruffalo and Rammy Youseff! IT has inspired me to go back and watch all of Yorgos' films.

I think the thing that blew me away the most was, the pacing. It never felt dull. There was always action happening. Even though it's a long film, it still feels manageable. If you are into film, and don't mind the surrealist viewpoint, this is an excellent film.

Hallucinogenic Steampunk masterpiece

[felixbotticelli · 9/10 · 23 January 2024]

It happens rarely, but occasionally something reminds me of just how powerful a collection of of creative minds can be, their achievement towering over the rest of the form. Colloborative art is so difficult and usually results in something mediocre with the edges shaved off.

Not this masterpiece. Gorgeous sets, unbelievably weird music, and actors at their best, all under the steady hand of director Yorgos Mavropsaridis. I adored the Lobster, and this utterly bizarre feast for the eyes suggests this guy is as good as anybody working today. It reminds me of the great Jean-Pierre Jeunet, director of Delicatessen, City of Lost Children and Amélie, who easily makes my top ten of all time list.

Part Candide, part Bride of Frankenstein and strangely a touch of Barbie on acid, this is nonetheless wholly original.

Emma Stone's previous work with the director in the gloriously weird The Favorite hints at this performance, but I didn't know she had this in her. She won the Golden Globe and deserves the Oscar for this tour de force. I've always liked Mark Ruffalo, but sheesh, he is hysterical. Willem Defoe is always good and perfect here as the sad neo Dr Frankenstein.

It's not up to a guy to call this a feminist film, like I believe Barbie to be (which I loved), so I will pass on that. Let's just say Stone's character is definitely one who does whatever the hell she wants without the slightest nod to convention, and her arc is pure.

It might not be for everyone, with casual placement of various chimeras like a duck with a dog's head or a human with a goat's brain. There is also very matter of fact sexuality, reduced to pure biology. Which didn't bother me a bit.

Not much point in going through the plot, I'm going to have to read the book by the late Alasdair Gray. I don't want to spoil it.

The sets were magnificent, steampunk like Jeunet but unique. The music was perfectly freakish, there were sounds coming from instruments I could not identify. Jerskin Fendrix (that cannot be his real name) is someone to watch out for.

Do not miss this and go to an actual theater. We saw this at AMC and the parade of abject mediocrity in the numerous trailers before this triumph did not give a hint at what was to come.