Movie Review: ‘Poor Things’ | Moviefone
Emma Stone in “Poor Things.” Photography: Jun Nishijima Provided by Searchlight Pictures. 2023 Searchlight Pictures All rights reserved. Poor Things, which opens in theaters on December 8, is Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’ quirky latest film that seems to be evoking applause and head shakes in equal measure. The filmmaker has given us, among others, the bizarre family drama “Dogtooth,” the unconventional romantic drama The filmmaker has brought us the likes of odd family drama ‘Dogtooth’, offbeat romantic drama ‘The Lobster’, horror mystery ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ and, most recently, his Oscar-winning historical comedy drama ‘The Favourite’, which started his collaboration with actor Emma Stone. She’s back for his latest, a skewed version of a ‘Frankenstein’-alike mad scientist story that goes to some very strange places but also has interesting things to say about female power and misogyny.
Does ‘Poor Things’ Offer Any Riches?
This is a story about a reincarnated woman, but I won’t reveal exactly what it is about. That’s because audiences who don’t know the truth about this issue need to know. and its attendant learning-about-the-world tale is sure to turn some away, put off out by the uncanny visions on display. Some people find creepy visions disturbing. But even if you’re initially disquieted by the movie, our advice is to stick with it, as – much like its main character – ‘Poor Things’ has a lot more to say as it develops.
‘Poor Things’: Script and Direction
Lanthimos reteams with Tony McNamara, the scriptwriter from “The Favourite,” for “Poor Things,” where he adapts Alasdair Gray’s novel for the big screen. And just like in “The Favorite,” this combination works. Although the new film has some characters and ideas that are very different from those in their previous collaboration, the subversive use of grotesque personalities and power plays works in a more fantastical setting. While McNamara skillfully crafts a gripping story around Stone’s Bella, she holds true to (most of) the other parts. It’s easy to see why actors, especially those seeking a challenge, would be drawn to this writer/director duo. Lanthimos is always someone who weaves worlds around his characters, either with stark production design or, in the case of ‘Poor Things’ a riot of Victoriana that gives way to something more akin to Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s more fantastical films as Bella’s journey continues. It’s definitely a fictional world – no one will accuse ‘Poor Things’ of existing in reality – but that all helps make it work.
‘Poor Things’: Final Thoughts
Emma Stone in “Difficult Things” Yorgos Lanthimos took the image. Copyright 2023 Searchlight Pictures. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. “Poor Things” is a worthwhile watch if you can connect with Bella Baxter’s narrative and let go of its notably peculiar vibe. Not merely strange for the sake of strangeness; each component has been thoughtfully chosen to advance the story. Even though this is Yorgos Lanthimos’ most fantastical film to date, it still has the moral and ethical undertones that keep his films compelling despite their peculiar outer trappings. While it might not be a movie to watch with the whole family over the holidays, people looking for something very different in their cinematic entertainment will find it interesting. boasting Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone giving incredible performances that you’ve probably never seen