the kind of movie that reveals our own critical biases in really clear ways. above all i think Anora is a mostly fun, an effective slaptstick comedy that isn't really trying to say too much about the state of the world itself and yet the largest critical debates have become about its message or lack thereof. but does that criticism of the movie really matter if the intention on Sean Baker's intention wasn't to have some highly intellectual take on sex work, women, and class? And if it was, is a simple message bad in itself if it's delivered in an effective package?

i don't think Sean Baker has much interesting to say about society, but I do think he's smart enough a filmmaker to let his actors teller deeper stories than what's initially on paper. something like Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket ideologically a fairly bare bones movies that becomes a more effective movie that allows its actors to showcase through their faces. and he's an effective mood setter through his images again allowing his camera to often and consistently move with his actors to build up sadness, laughter or whatever he wants us to experience.

going to expand more on this in part 2. not for this to be an in defense or Anora but rather criticism is at its worst when we're projecting weird notions of what is or isn't a good message without dissecting what's happening on screen

mikey, let's get you in some more slapstick.