This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 162! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey everyone,
Last night a movie that left me equal parts stunned and obsessed: “Poor Things,” directed by the ever-so-strange Yorgos Lanthimos. And folks, let me tell you, it was an experience akin to finding a hidden door in your house that leads to a room you never knew existed. This one isn’t for the faint of heart (or those easily grossed out), but if you’re down for a darkly comedic ride through Victorian-ish madness, then keep reading!
So imagine being resurrected by a scientist with a god complex. That’s the wild ride Bella Baxter (played by the ever-magnetic Emma Stone) finds herself on. Let’s just say her resurrection process is a tad unconventional, involving a bit of a brain transplant situation. Emma Stone brings Bella to life with a vibrancy that’s both enchanting and profoundly moving. Watching her trying to figure out her new reality kind of reminded of a cat when it’s just discovered it can open doors – utterly fascinating.
The plot itself is a wild mix of genres. It’s part Victorian romance, part science fiction horror, part Steampunk and part social satire. Bella, with her childlike innocence and penchant for nudity (seriously, this movie is not shy!), navigates a world that’s both familiar and utterly bizarre. There are themes of identity, societal expectations, and what it truly means to be human, all wrapped up in a package that’s equal parts hilarious and unsettling.
Willem Dafoe, as the eccentric scientist, is nothing short of brilliant. Dafoe + Mad Scientist = A match made in cinematic heaven. The guy brings a level of eccentricity to the character that’s just spot-on. His performance is a masterclass in how to be believably bizarre without crossing into cartoon villain territory. His portrayal adds layers to a character that could easily have been a one-dimensional caricature. Instead, Dafoe gives us a character study in obsession and genius that’s as complex as it is entertaining.
Yorgos Lanthimos, the mastermind behind the lens, crafts a world that’s as bizarre as it is beautiful. His use of natural light and an atmosphere that feels both familiar and otherworldly, sets “Poor Things” apart from anything else you’ve seen. The man has a knack for creating these bizarre worlds that feel so detached from our reality, yet so engrossing.
Additionally, the dialogue is sharp and witty, with characters delivering peculiar, deadpan pronouncements that had me snorting with laughter one minute and gasping in shock the next.
Now, onto a little bit of critique because no film is perfect, right? At times, the pacing felt like a song with uneven beats – intriguing but slightly off. However, just as my attention started to wane, the film would throw a curveball that pulled me right back in, leaving me laughing or wide-eyed with wonder.
“Poor Things” is a testament to the power of cinema to explore the absurd, the profound, and the beautifully human. It’s a film that invites you to ponder the larger, often quixotic aspects of life.
If your movie nights are craving something that breaks the mold, gives you a good laugh, and maybe a moment of introspection, “Poor Things” should definitely be on your watchlist. It has a stellar cast and a director who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. Approach it with an open heart and a readiness to embrace the weird, and I promise, it’ll be an adventure. This film, my friends, is like nothing I’ve seen before and I loved it!
Hasta Mañana,
Roger
P.S. If sex on the screen sends you into a pearl-clutching frenzy, then you may want to give this one a hard pass.