13.3.24
In Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos creates a gorgeous, fantastic world of boundless energy and creative spirit. Emma Stone’s Bella, resurrected by Willem Dafoe’s well-intentioned but unhinged scientist Dr. God, possesses a novel outlook on life, untainted by the passage of time, social prejudices, or the fear of causing offence.
Lanthimos’ technical prowess shines through in so many parts of the film. Whether it’s the magnificent set design or the delightful otherworldly cinematography, it all enhances the already impressive performances from the ensemble cast. Mark Ruffalo, in a role that feels tailor-made for his talents, delivers a comic performance that elevates the tone of the film to one of constant humour and originality. The opening 40 minutes are so electric that I found myself compelled to pause and revisit some of the uproarious one-liners over dinner, just to savour their brilliance once more.
Emma Stone’s Oscar-worthy performance as Bella is one of unrestraint, serving as a poignant commentary on the patriarchal bonds constraining women. Initially grappling with the world’s deep-seated gender prejudices, she gradually softens to societal norms surrounding childrearing, marriage, and the repugnant aspects of ‘polite society.’ However, some moments feel uncomfortably voyeuristic, particularly when Lanthimos fetishises Bella’s encounters with elderly, hirsute, and foul-smelling clients at a Parisian brothel. Despite the brilliantly effective humour framing these scenes, Bella remains the object of a lecherous male gaze. The inescapable feeling is that this exploitation extends beyond the character and onto Stone herself, her willing participation and subsequent Oscar not negating the troubling nature of these scenes.
Despite these quibbles, Poor Things manages to deliver a strong payoff as Bella’s character evolves to gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and motivations. The film’s misguided message and hypersexualised elements may be off-putting, but it remains an impressive and often hilarious piece of work. At well over two hours long, the movie occasionally struggles to find its footing in terms of pacing and resolution. An impressive and often hilarious piece of work for those who appreciate Lanthimos’ unique brand of storytelling, even though the over-eroticism personally put me off.