A One Mann’s Movies Film Review of “Poor Things” (2024).
When “Saltburn” came on streaming just in time for Christmas I thought “Eh up, this might be interesting”! Multi-generational families gathered round the box thinking “Let’s put on this new film” and facing Emerald Fennell’s plug-hole-slurping, grave-humping, nude-dancing extravaganza with increasing horror! Well, if you thought that about “Saltburn“, definitely think twice about taking Granny or ‘Mater and Pater’ to see “Poor Things”, the new film by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone. You can only sink so far into those cinema seats!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) is a woman with a certain mystique. Thanks to the wonderous work of Dr Godwin Baxter (Willem Defoe) (or “God” as he is known), she is saved from death and reborn…. but reborn with the developing mind of a child. We follow Bella’s evolutionary journey as she has to contend with men, such as researcher Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef) and the louche Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), who both want very different things from Bella.
Certification:
UK: 18; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong sex, nudity, very strong language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Emma Stone, Willem Defoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Kathryn Hunter, Jerrod Carmichael, Margaret Qualley.
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos.
Written by: Tony McNamara. (Based on the book by Alasdair Gray).
Twitter Handle: #PoorThings.
Running Time: 2h 21m.
Bella (Emma Stone) in the sexual clutches of the exploititive Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo). (Source: Searchlight Pictures)
“Poor Things” Film Review:
Positives:
- It’s an astonishing film to look at. As Andy Godfrey pointed out on our “Flickering Dreams” podcast, there’s a lot of Terry Gilliam about the surreal imagery and colour pallette. We are in the Victorian era, but it is a steam-punk Victorian era full of strange ships, cable cars, etc. As a result, I can see “Poor Things” featuring strongly in the technical awards at the Oscars: for Production Design (Shona Heath & James Price), for cinematography (Robbie Ryan), costumes (Holly Waddington) and the Hair & Make-up team.
- Emma Stone won the Golden Globe for the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and you can see why. I’ve seen it described as a “brave” performance, which normally means that she has exposed herself emotionally or that she has exposed herself physically. Here she does both! There is very little of Ms Stone’s body that you don’t get to see in this film, and the sex is VERY explicit indeed.
- Willem Dafoe also gives a cracking performance as the mad Frankenstein-like doctor, whose traumatic childhood at the hands of his father has made him what he is today!
- There is a satisfying arc to the story and, while you might object about the approach used, it highlights Bella growing as a woman and taking full control of her own body and what she chooses to do with it. The finale is also satisfying in a macabre sort of way.
- The music is by Jerskin Fendrix (there’s a name to conjure with!) and is quite extraordinarily weird… so therefore completely in keeping with the film!
Negatives:
- Mark Ruffalo seems to have been nominated for a lot of awards for his role as the rakish rogue taking advantage of the naive young Bella. But I found his accent – allegedly English – to be so ‘out there’ that I struggled to take the performance seriously. (BTW, film buffs will no doubt have spotted that his screaming of “BELLA!!!” to the balcony is a homage to the famous “STELLA!!!” yelled by Marlon Brandon in “A Streetcar Named Desire”).
- The basic premise behind Bella’s creation will – without spoilers – be one that will, I’m quite sure, disturb some viewers. In general, this is one where I think a number of cinema-goers might, at one point or another, say “Nope – not for me!” and leave.
Willem Defoe as Dr Baxter, this picture highlighting the wonders of Production Design, Costume and Make-Up. (Source: Searchlight Pictures)
Controversial Censorship
There was controversy in that the BBFC demanded a cut for it to gain its 18 certificate. The sex scene in question involved minors watching a sex act being performed. (If you think back to the ‘public school sex education’ lesson in “Monty Python and the Meaning of Life” you’ll get the idea! Very French!) Having the sex shown on screen at the same as the children was a ‘no-no’ for the BBFC. (I’m not sure how it was actually shot). My understanding now is that the film has been cut for release in exactly the same way in all geographies, so that that the more extreme version of that scene was only shown in the early cut shown at the Film Festivals.
Summary Thoughts on “Poor Things”
Like “Saltburn“, this is a film that, if you see it, you WILL have views on it. Some might be thrilled with it; others appalled by it. It’s the first real ‘Marmite’ movie of the year. Just don’t take your granny (unless she has a very broad mind…. “In my day, young man, we used a trapeze to do that position!”).
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Trailer for “Poor Things”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlbR5N6veqw .
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