Poor Things

 

          From the fertile imagination of director Yorgos Lanthimos comes the fantastic story of Bella Baxter. Unlike anything else you will see this year, this film, starring Emma Stone, is a perfect example of cinematic art.

           Emma Stone is absolutely remarkable as Bella Baxter, a Frankenstein-like creation of Dr. Goodwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe. Reanimated by the doctor, Bella has the brain of a baby and must face the world with a fresh start on life.

           Ms. Stone's performance is fearless, and superlatives just don't do it justice. She is simply a wonder to watch as her brain catches up with her body through the course of the film. Mr. Dafoe, under incredible makeup, is still able to give a nuanced performance as Bella's creator and father figure. The film costars Mark Ruffalo, in one of his best performances in years, as Duncan Wedderburn, a lecherous suitor and Ramy Youssef as Max, Dr. Baxter's assistant who helps Bella to learn and eventually falls in love with her. Other co-stars include Chriistopher Abbot, Herrod Carmichael, Kathryn Hunter, and Margaret Qualley.

          While the film takes place primarily in Victorian England with stops in various other countries, Mr. Lanthimos reimagines every location in a fantasy reality with remarkable sets and visuals. Filmed both in black and white as well as color, the film is a feast for the senses. The screenplay by Tony McNamara is brilliant with wonderful dialog and social commentary as Bella learns independence and demands equality.

            Full disclosure, the film deserves its R rating. There is nudity and sex but it is relevant to the story. "Poor Things" is surprising and wonderful and easily one of my favorite films of the year. It blew me away.