Anora

Anora (Mikey Madison), who goes by Ani, gives lap dances at a New York club and because of her ability to speak a bit of Russian is assigned to the young and handsome Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn). Ani has soon made an impact on Vanya who eagerly books increasing amounts of private time with her. Fast and furious sex in Vanya’s luxurious mansion gives way to more tender moments and soon Vanya is convinced that he is in love – culminating in a wedding in Las Vegas.

But when Vanya’s parents in Russia discover what their son has done, goons are swiftly dispatched to bring a swift end to Ani’s fairytale. Still, she stubbornly clings on to the dream, leading to both hilarity and moments of deep emotion. Madison is simply brilliant as Anora and director Sean Baker (Tangerine, Red Rocket, The Florida Project) once again displays mastery at depicting with great empathy characters and milieus so rarely presented so lovingly on screen.