Yorgos Lanthimos is no stranger to the odd. Between the disturbing Killing of a Sacred Deer and the absurdity of The Lobster, his films always have an air of oddness to them. Being a film industry veteran, he is a master of the craft. Nowhere is that more apparent with his new movie, Poor Things. Here, this is an adaptation of the book by the same name by Alasdair Gray.
Although the premise of a Frankenstein story with the main character having the brain of a newborn is extremely intriguing, the movie is better left completely blind. Between the odd world the characters inhabit to the dialogue, this movie is extremely off-kilter. However, in my opinion, it is the best movie of last year and a shining achievement of the past few years of movies.
Grappling with themes of feminism, sex, and sexuality this movie perfectly balances these themes with a strong wit, Yorgos Lanthimos’ direction enters a whole new level with this film. Although his direction can often feel dry and wooden as his movies deal with themes necessitating that, this movie opens up. With his cinematographer Robbie Ryan, this movie feels alive and vibrant, with a beautiful mix of practical sets and digital backgrounds, making this movie feel dreamlike and surreal.
You can’t discuss this movie without talking about the star, Emma Stone. Although she has worked with Yorgos Lanthimos in the 2018 movie The Favorite, here Emma Stone performs of a lifetime as Bella Baxter. She gracefully balances strong sadness with the dry comedy laced all throughout the film. Physically, she sells the part of someone learning how to use their body for the first time. As the movie progresses, she grows into her own, becoming confident in herself and her life. This is her best performance, making her enter the pantheon of the best of the best actors and actresses of all time.
Another outstanding performance is Willam Dafoe as Dr. Godwin Baxter, the Dr. Frankenstein to Bella’s monster. Here, he plays a doctor tortured by his father’s cruel experiments on him, further amplified by his disfigured face and body. Although he tries not to, he forms a fatherly bond with Bella, and by the end, you feel a connection for their relationship. Mark Ruffalo also gives a fantastic performance. In his silliest role in a while, he plays Duncan Wedderburn, a debauched lawyer who only cares about himself. Mark Ruffalo truly brings the comedy factor of the script up to eleven, making every scene he is in a delight.
The score, done by musician Jerskin Fendrix, is just as odd as the movie it inhabits. The soundtrack uses a variety of woodwinds and strings to amplify the weirdness. Specifically within the song Portuguese Dance II, he uses a potent mix of horns, strings, and drums to make a beautiful mixture of horror and happiness that is truly indescribable.
Overall this movie is extremely odd and eccentric but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. For two and a half hours, the movie doesn’t stop being entertaining and wonderful. Although it isn’t for everyone, if you can see this movie, you should.