There are some directors who are so out there that you know they will never be able to make a “normal” film, whatever that word means to you. I always say we should be grateful for them as those are usually the ones who can challenge us the most or introduce us to new ideas told in a compelling way. Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most, if not THE most, unique voices of his generation that somehow managed to make it big in Hollywood, and my twisted mind couldn’t be more grateful. What he does with Poor Things is on another level and might be his magnum opus.
On the surface, Poor Things doesn’t look like anything new because it’s your stereotypical story of a doctor playing God and creating “a monster”. Hmm… that sounds so familiar; where in the Frankenstein have I seen this before? Yorgos understands that “there are no new stories”, so he borrows the concept/story of Frankenstein. However, what he does with it and how he uses it to talk about much more than “man playing God” is what people want from films. Or at least, I do. But I think many movie-loving people are of a similar mind where we don’t mind if the filmmaker reuses the “same old” story, premise or concept, as long as they add something to it, something that hasn’t been done yet, explore different things and themes using that familiar structure. And it is in this aspect where Poor Things excels.
There are scenes in this movie that might shock you; there is graphic nudity, language (the word ‘cunt’ is shouted many times), and the concept of having a newborn’s brain in the body of an adult woman raises a question or two. But, as always, with people who challenge the norm and try to make you think outside the box, there is a point to everything. If there is one word (besides the obvious one, “shocking”) I would use to label this film, it would be “purposeful”. Every decision, every set, every character serves a larger point, serves a purpose, and it’s only up to you if you are willing to look past your nose.
This movie explores many topics, from class, gender roles, and societal norms to sex and agency over your body, life and choices. When you read the previous sentence, it sounds like the most boring/preachy film ever made, when in reality, it’s the opposite. Poor Things is a vibrant, funny, well-paced film that, despite its runtime of 141 minutes, never bored me. I was fascinated with the sets, in love with the soundtrack, mesmerized by the outfits/costumes and stunned by all the performers on top of those topics this film explores. Long story short, I had a blast.
There are many great performances in this film. I could write: “If you acted in this movie, well done” because you probably have nailed it, as all the actors here do. However, two actors stood out – Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone. And both in different ways. Ruffalo plays this sex-obsessed greaseball who is sleazy, then funny, and then just sad. His character goes through a lot, and you have fun not hating him per se but definitely disliking him. And Ruffalo allows himself to go balls-to-the-walls crazy, funny and unhinged in the best possible way. I don’t think I have ever seen him better, and we are talking about an actor who’s been around for a while. He took a massive risk and swing with this performance, and it paid off with interest. His character also serves as the personification of hypocrisy, as he has been fine the entire time having crazy sex with Stone’s character. It’s only after she denies him and dumps him he goes against her and suddenly seems to have an issue with her sexuality.
Regarding Emma Stone, it’s insane how talented she is. She’s already an Oscar winner, and yet this performance is so unique, vivid and different that I think she just ascended to Mount Olympus of acting. She starts this movie perfectly capturing the awkwardness of growing up whilst being trapped in a grown woman’s body, and by the end of this film, she goes through such a huge character transformation it is fascinating to watch her, and she is the heart, the soul, the reason this odd and quirky movie works. It seemed that the 2024 Oscar for Leading Actress was going to Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon (2023, my review here), but after watching this and seeing how tight the race is between Lily and Emma, I… I actually don’t know who I am rooting for more. I think it would be awesome to have another historic tie (and we are due for one, link here!) because this is a rare one for me, as no matter who wins, I will be happy for either Emma or Lily, but I will be sad for the other. They both delivered such memorable and unique performances that tie might seem like a cop-out, but I would love it if we could celebrate them both.
And I believe that ultimately is what Poor Things is all about. Through all the pain, suffering, and injustice, this movie isn’t shy to show us it’s a celebration of life and how one comes to terms with all life’s struggles. That all is packaged in such a distinctive “wrapper” that you will remember the visuals, the distinctive sets, for a long time. I am also willing to bet anyone that this movie will get even better on repeat viewings, as everything is so purposeful and every choice is so intentional you will catch many tiny things you haven’t during your first viewing as you were too mesmerized by everything and everyone else to pay full attention. I can’t wait to rewatch this and add it to my movie collection, as that is one of those movies I need to own, preferably in 4K.
Overall, Poor Things is a masterpiece that I predict will become a classic. It uses the Frankenstein story to make a plethora of different points about various topics, but it never forgets to entertain you. You go on a journey with these characters, and that journey is long, vivid, bizarre, quirky, sexual and vulgar. And yet, it never feels too long, and once it’s over, you want to go back to this wild world and on that journey again. At least that’s how I felt. Poor Things is one of the best movies of 2023. It’s a performance highlight for both Ruffalo and Stone and confirmation of just how talented Yorgos is and how we should be grateful to live in a world where weirdos like him can still make it in Hollywood.
That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!
Until next time,
Luke
