There are many, many things to like and admire in Yorgos Lanthimos latest curiosity, the Frankenstein-esque POOR THINGS. Like all thing Lanthimos, this film does not lack from weird, intriguing visuals, performances and situations. They just don't coalesce into an engaging film.
In other words, the Whole Does Not Equal The Sum of it's Parts.
Let's start with what works and that has to begin with the powerhouse performance of Emma Stone in her well deserved Oscar nominated performance as Bella. It is a brave, no-holds-barred, no barrier is too sacred performance that shows all (literally) which includes the good, the bad and the ugly in every sense of the term. In any other year, Stone would be a shoo-in for the Oscar (and she just might take it in an upset), this performance is that good.
Also putting in a very good, quirky performance is the always interesting Willem Dafoe as Godwin "God" Baxter, Bella's "father" (to say more is to spoil it). It is a performance made all the more remarkable for DaFoe has to perform through heavy make-up - and perform he does. Bringing the heart and humanity to this piece. I had to review my notes many, many times because I cannot believe that he was not nominated for an Oscar for this performance. It is the Supporting Actor role in this film that deserved the Oscar nomination.
But that, inexplicably, went to Mark Ruffalo, as Duncan Wedderburn (a suitor who shows Bella the world). This performance - while good - is not nearly as effective as either DaFoe or Stone, but is that because Ruffalo is not strong or is it because Stone and DaFoe are so strong that the rest pale in comparison?
And that complaint could be said of all of the rest of the performances in this piece. From Ramy Youssef to Vickie Pepperdine to Hanna Schugulla to Jaerrod Carmichael, Margaret Qualley and Kathryn Hunter, they all give good (but not great) performances on interesting, quirky characters that just don't have a chance as shining as brightly as Stone and DaFoe do.
The visuals of this film are breathtaking and expect to see this film's name called during many of "craft" categories (Costume, Make-up, Production Design, etc..), it is one of the most visually spectacular films of 2023 and this is where this film should clean up come Oscars' time.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos (THE FAVOURITE) is nominated for Best Director for the 2nd time in his career (he has 5 Oscar nominations overall) and it is well deserved for POOR THINGS holds a clear, certain sense of vision in every cell of this film. It is unique and quirky and most certainly a good representation of what a "Lanthimos film" is.
And...that's the problem. I found myself marveling at the performances, the visuals and the production values because I never was invested in the people, the story or the journey that Bella was on and, if I'm being honest, I stopped caring after awhile. Never a good sign.
If you are a fan of quirkiness, costumes, sets and visuals, this is the film for you. If you are looking for characters and story to draws you in, the flashiness of the visuals and the 2 lead performances will leave you at arm's length.
Letter Grade B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
In other words, the Whole Does Not Equal The Sum of it's Parts.
Let's start with what works and that has to begin with the powerhouse performance of Emma Stone in her well deserved Oscar nominated performance as Bella. It is a brave, no-holds-barred, no barrier is too sacred performance that shows all (literally) which includes the good, the bad and the ugly in every sense of the term. In any other year, Stone would be a shoo-in for the Oscar (and she just might take it in an upset), this performance is that good.
Also putting in a very good, quirky performance is the always interesting Willem Dafoe as Godwin "God" Baxter, Bella's "father" (to say more is to spoil it). It is a performance made all the more remarkable for DaFoe has to perform through heavy make-up - and perform he does. Bringing the heart and humanity to this piece. I had to review my notes many, many times because I cannot believe that he was not nominated for an Oscar for this performance. It is the Supporting Actor role in this film that deserved the Oscar nomination.
But that, inexplicably, went to Mark Ruffalo, as Duncan Wedderburn (a suitor who shows Bella the world). This performance - while good - is not nearly as effective as either DaFoe or Stone, but is that because Ruffalo is not strong or is it because Stone and DaFoe are so strong that the rest pale in comparison?
And that complaint could be said of all of the rest of the performances in this piece. From Ramy Youssef to Vickie Pepperdine to Hanna Schugulla to Jaerrod Carmichael, Margaret Qualley and Kathryn Hunter, they all give good (but not great) performances on interesting, quirky characters that just don't have a chance as shining as brightly as Stone and DaFoe do.
The visuals of this film are breathtaking and expect to see this film's name called during many of "craft" categories (Costume, Make-up, Production Design, etc..), it is one of the most visually spectacular films of 2023 and this is where this film should clean up come Oscars' time.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos (THE FAVOURITE) is nominated for Best Director for the 2nd time in his career (he has 5 Oscar nominations overall) and it is well deserved for POOR THINGS holds a clear, certain sense of vision in every cell of this film. It is unique and quirky and most certainly a good representation of what a "Lanthimos film" is.
And...that's the problem. I found myself marveling at the performances, the visuals and the production values because I never was invested in the people, the story or the journey that Bella was on and, if I'm being honest, I stopped caring after awhile. Never a good sign.
If you are a fan of quirkiness, costumes, sets and visuals, this is the film for you. If you are looking for characters and story to draws you in, the flashiness of the visuals and the 2 lead performances will leave you at arm's length.
Letter Grade B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)