In a year of shocking and explicit films, “Poor Things” stands out above the rest. A stylized, unhinged coming of age film, director Yorgos Lanthimos takes viewers for a wild ride. Based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, the film’s plot creates a bewildering, messy and stunning storyline that leaves nothing to the imagination.
The star-studded cast that headlines this film adds much-needed immersion to engage viewers through the heavy plot. Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young adult with an adolescent brain, finds herself thrust into the real world and stumbles through life, learning societal norms and maturing way beyond her mental age. When I mention adolescent brain, I mean an actual child’s brain surgically placed inside a dead middle-aged woman’s head, Frankenstein-style.
The film takes a colorful approach, opting for black and white in the first quarter of the film and the full-color pallet after Bella escapes the confines of her “fathers” house. Emma Stone is brilliant in her performance as Bella. Embodying a childish nature and showing the progression from childhood to adulthood in a brief time span really added to the world building. The third person writing, contrasted with the steampunk, Victorian England mashed imagery is pure eye candy. The visuals are sharp and distinct from one another, allowing them to be appreciated all at once.
This film experiments a lot in its two hour and 21 minute runtime. The slow development of Bella’s character through semi-slapstick comedy, charismatic and unstable characters, and a whole lot of sexual content that inserts itself happily right in the middle of the plot. Nothing feels out of place and the amount of sexual content is rooted in Bella’s character development. The unique angles, mobility and liveliness of the camera provide an alluring viewing experience while adding to the loopy atmosphere.
Underneath all the shock and weirdness “Poor Things” presents, it is a solid film that digs into expectations versus reality in an unorthodox way while presenting real themes and values held by today’s society between the lines. This film is truly a pleasure to watch and is one of the best movies this year.
