FILM REVIEW: "POOR THINGS" IS FULL OF GOOD THINGS
Beware; for I am fearless, and therefor powerful.
Wreathed in surrealism and brimming with creativity, Poor Things is the latest tour de force from auteur director Yorgos Lanthiams (The Lobster), writer Tony McNamara (The Great) and star Emma Stone (La La Land), the powerhouse trio behind the Oscar winning dramedy The Favourite.
Cut from the same cloth, yet sewn in an entirely new fashion. Poor Things follows Bella, Emma Stone, the workmanship of a kindly yet deranged scientist, Willem Dafoe. Reanimated from death, and blessed with a fresh perspective unswayed by times and prejudice, Bella embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Though never entirely sure how or when to end, Poor Things is a raucous and hilarious two and a half hours of boisterous fun and rowdy sex. Blessed with technical mastery, tremendous set design, and featuring career-best performances from all its leads (especially Mark Ruffalo), there is nothing of poor quality within Poor Things.
Based on the Alasdair Grey novel of the same name, Poor Things is benefitted by Tony McNamara’s witty screenplay, which finds hope, heart and horror in varying aspects of Bella’s adventure, (we had the pleasure of meeting your Father-in-Law at the premiere, very nice chap, he was very proud!).
Yorgos Lanthiam’s career is defined by oddities and curios. Poor Things is the sum of his experiences, launching Lanthiam into a personal paradise. Production designers Shona Heath and James Price create a vivid, elusive world, which alongside Robbie Ryan’s eccentric cinematography, accentuates every other good quality this masterpiece has to offer.
With all members of the crew approaching this film with such creative strokes, we are gifted a cinema masterclass; the endlessly captivating Emma Stone, the long unseen comedic genius of Mark Ruffalo, the beautiful scenery and breathtaking cinematography. Poor Things is a step above the rest, and an enticing reminder of what visual splendour cinema can be.
Certain to sweep the Oscars clean, Poor Things is a turbulent, jagged film thats rough edges are just as beautiful as it’s sleek professionalism.