Poor Things

Poor Things is an unclassifiable film by director Yórgos Lánthimos, known for his eccentricity (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Favourite). This initiatory story of a young woman brought back to life, is dystopian, crazy, erotic, comic but also dark, visually stunning and full of surprises, which will not be revealed in this review. This film won the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in September 2023.

Yórgos Lánthimos adapts the book, Poor Things, a pastiche of a gothic novel by the Scotsman Alasdair Gray, written in 1992. For this adaptation, he works again with the writer Tony McNamara with whom he wrote The Favorite. Revisiting the story of Frankenstein, the film reverses the roles. The monster is a beautiful young woman, Bella, played by Emma Stone. The men they encounter turn out to be monsters. The film is divided into five parts (hence its running time), five journeys which are the different stages in the sexual, psychological and intellectual evolution of Bella Baxter.

The film being about Bella, Emma Stone is almost in every scene. She delivers a breathtaking performance, evolving from a baby with a woman's body to a mature adult. She had already worked with this director on the historical film The Favourite. Co-producer of the film, she was particularly involved in the construction of this character. Around her, the casting is brilliant, notably Willem Dafoe who plays the crazy scientist, and Mark Ruffalo, the hedonistic, mysoginal lover,...

Having shot entirely in the studio in Budapest, the director was able to have a total control of the image, sound and design. Two Production Designers worked together James Price and Shona Heath, which is not common. Based on a novel set in the Victorian era, they imagined historical universes, integrating anachronistic and imaginary elements. The result is stunning, retro-futuristic, just like the costumes, makeup and hairstyles. Holly Waddington created costumes that reflect Bella's evolution. Nadia Stacey (The Favourite) designed the makeup, hairstyles and prosthetics. The one for Willem Dafoe's face required 6 hours of makeup. Cinematographer Robbie Ryan (The Favourite) uses 35mm Ektachrome film which created true black and white, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis is a regular collaborator of the director, as is Sound Designer Johnnie Burn. With this team, the director was able to create a visual and sound marvel movie.

Poor Things
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by Tony McNamara
Based on Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
Produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone
Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael
Cinematography : Robbie Ryan
Edited by Yorgos Mavropsaridis
Music by Jerskin Fendrix
Production companies: Film4, Element Pictures, TSG Entertainment
Distributed by Searchlight Pictures
Release dates : September 1, 2023 (Venice), December 8, 2023 (United States), January 17, 2024 (France)
Running time : 141 minutes

Viewed December 5, 2023 at Publicis Cinemas, Paris

Sabine's Mark:

Yorgos Lanthimos' latest cinematic creation, Poor Things, is a whimsical journey into an alternate Victorian era, departing from the director's usual dark and chilling style to deliver a joyously strange and visually stunning experience. Adapted from Alasdair Gray's 1992 novel, the film weaves a story that deftly blends science fiction, comedy and social commentary, showcasing Lanthimos' prowess in creating a cinematic universe that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

At the heart of this eccentric tale is Emma Stone's outstanding performance as Bella Baxter, a woman with a child's brain brought back to life through a Frankenstein experiment by Dr. Godwin Baxter, sweetly played by Willem Dafoe. Emma Stone's interpretation of Bella's unconventional growth is a testament to her acting prowess, anchoring the character both physically and emotionally. Her transformation from a confined to a liberated existence is visually represented as the film shifts from bleak black and white to hyper-saturated colors, symbolizing Bella's journey.

The story unfolds as Bella, under the care of Dr. Baxter, yearns for freedom and embarks on a quest to explore the world. Her encounters with characters such as lawyer Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) lead her on a series of adventures that touch on themes of sexuality, autonomy and societal expectations. The film deftly uses allegory, using Bella as a symbol of infantilized Victorian femininity, to explore the constraints imposed on women in society.

The supporting cast, including mar Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef, contribute significantly to the film's appeal, adding depth and humor to the narrative. The visual elements, from bizarre animal amalgams to imaginative set designs, create a fantastical Victorian world that captures the audience's imagination. However, despite the film's allegorical force, the final act runs out of steam, feeling clunky and less engaging, leaving room for an improvement in pace and resolution.

Nevertheless, Poor Things stands out as a whimsical and provocative exploration of female rebirth and liberation. Yorgos Lanthimos' distinctive narrative finds a perfect partner in Emma Stone, resulting in a film that is not only visually stunning, but also emotionally powerful. The film challenges societal norms with humor and heart, offering a unique and daring cinematic experience. While its minor flaws are obvious, Poor Things is still a film not to be missed, offering audiences a cinematic journey that is both daring and unforgettable.

In Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film, Poor Things, the Greek director also continues his fascination with depicting extreme behavior in immaculate settings, creating a cinematic experience that stands out as his best to date. Set in Victorian London, the film revolves around Emma Stone's character, Bella Baxter, a woman whose childlike brain has been brought back to life following a singular experience. Lanthimos, known for exploring the contrast between society's expectations and humanity's messy truth, takes this theme to new heights in Poor Things.

Emma Stone delivers the performance of a lifetime as Bella, navigating the character's evolution from a childlike state to a sexually liberated woman with remarkable precision and unpredictability. Mark Ruffalo, as Duncan Wedderburn, adds a layer of hysterical humor to the narrative, playing a charismatic Lothario and pretentious buffoon. The supporting cast, including Ramy Youssef and others, contribute significantly to the richness of the film, creating a tapestry of characters that adds depth to the story.

The language of the film, adapted from Alasdair Gray's novel by Tony McNamara, starts out intentionally rambling and stilted, but evolves into a rhythmic poetry that reflects Bella's intellectual development. Robbie Ryan's cinematography is stunning, shifting from grainy black and white to lush colors, effectively capturing Bella's journey from childlike innocence to self-possession.

Costumes by Holly Waddington and production design by Shona Heath and James Price add layers to Bella's story, vividly depicting her evolution through detailed, vibrant images. The film's settings, from Godwin's house to a luxurious Lisbon hotel to a Parisian brothel, imaginatively reinvent historical images through a wacky prism.

Poor Things manages not only to shine technically, but also to make us become deeply attached to the central character, Bella. Stone's performance allows Bella to remain kind and optimistic, even when confronted with the harsh realities of the outside world. The film stands out as a masterpiece, combining elements of quirkiness, humor and heartfelt emotion. In a year rich in cinematic offerings, Poor Things stands out as the best, offering an unforgettable and rewarding experience that shakes up conventions and resonates long after the credits roll.

Poor Things
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by Tony McNamara
Based on Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
Produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone
Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael
Cinematography : Robbie Ryan
Edited by Yorgos Mavropsaridis
Music by Jerskin Fendrix
Production companies: Film4, Element Pictures, TSG Entertainment
Distributed by Searchlight Pictures
Release dates : September 1, 2023 (Venice), December 8, 2023 (United States), January 17, 2024 (France)
Running time : 141 minutes

Seen January 17, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 8 seat A19

Mulder's Mark: