The Many Masks of Anora

 When first seen, Anora (wholikes to be called Ani) is plying her wares at a tawdry “gentlemen’s club” inBrighton Beach, Brooklyn. Sidling up to potential customers, she comes off ascute, friendly, and ready for anything. A lap dance? An upside-down whirl onthe stripper pole? A cozy visit to a private room? Sure! It’s all part of herrepertoire.

 Sean Baker, the Americanindie director who won this year’s prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes FilmFestival for Anora, has profound lovefor those on the underside of society.  In the case of Anora, what’s not tolove?  Especially when we learn that herdream is to go on a honeymoon trip to Walt Disney World. Her Cinderellafantasies almost come true when an adorably curly-headed young Russian (drawnto her first because she can understand—if not really speak—his language) fallsfor her in a big way. After a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas,  they return home as man and wife. The pamperedson of a Russian oligarch, one who’s enjoying living alone in a fabulousseaside mansion, Ivan can give her everything—love, fun, drugs, a three-caratdiamond ring. Not bad for a young woman who up to this point has had toscrupulously keep an eye on her finances.

 But like all good things, thehoneymoon quickly comes to an end.  Whenhis parents’ local fixer—who doubles as an Armenian priest—discovers themarriage, all hell breaks loose. The parents are quickly on a plane from Mosco,determined to scuttle the marriage and pursue a quick annulment. In their eyes,Anora is a gold-digger preying on their innocent boy. The situation developsinto a riotous brouhaha, in which Ivan flees into the night and Anora is keptat bay by two rather inept thugs who’ll do just about anything to calm herdown.

 This is the point at whichAny’s combative spirit really comes into focus. She wants what she sees ashers, and nothing—not violence, not bribes, not sweet talk—is going to stopher. Her  transformation from sexy wenchto woman in love to warrior princess is both startling and fascinating. This issomeone who is fearless, both with her hands and with her mouth, in demandingwhat she deserves. And, especially when she’s faced with Ivan’s obnoxiousmother, we see what drives her: a desperate need to stick up for herself in aworld where she has no other champion. Which leads, finally, to anat-first-perplexing moment in which we come to understand how hard she’sstruggled to build a life for herself, and how much she’s lost along the way.

 Mikey Madison, who playsAnora, has a short Hollywood resumé (she played one of the Manson girls in OnceUpon a Time in Hollywood)  but Iagree with all the pundits who insist this film will launch a major career. ASoCal girl who grew up (she insists) quite shy, she has adopted for Anoraa bold, exuberant personality that doesn’t quit. What’s special about her isthat she isn’t simply loud and sexy: there are layers in her portrayal thathint at the complexity of her life. Credit Sean Baker with bringing out thevarious facets of Anora’s life: as his work in indie flicks like Tangerine shows,he loves actors who are fearless.

 This evening, while toolingdown the Sunset Strip, I saw a huge billboard for Anora: Madison lookstotally seductive, with a bare shoulder peeking out from a fur coat. Noquestion: a star is born.