Movie: Poor Things

Poor Things

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos

Starring: Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo

Duration: 2h 21min

Hi!

Sharing some thoughts about this movie we watched on Disney+ recently.

Before we watched the film...

I knew nothing about the movie except that Emma Stone was nominated (and won) for Best Actress (Oscar and BAFTA)! At that point I just watched Wicked and was on the hype train of Cynthia Erivo, who I thought had a good chance. Was mostly baffled by the results because I knew nothing about Poor Things, and the last I remember of Emma Stone was La La Land (which was highly lauded but not my cup of tea.)

However, after watching this movie you can truly appreciate how Emma Stone really deserved the award. Her acting truly carried the movie, and the film itself had many interesting layers and complexities compared to Wicked, which is... a much easier, palatable musical for the masses. 

I also read a brief summary that the movie was about a 'female Frankenstein'. I thought the film would focus more about the relationship of the Frankenstein and her creator. 

I can now confidently tell you that the movie is sooo much more than that. It focuses more about how Bella navigates the world without 'polite society' manners and world views. 

Lastly, I did not expect so many bed scenes. I should have known when they asked for a passcode for the R21 content.

As the film started:

The movie started off with a quirky mood set in black and white. The pace was rather indulgent and took its time to intrigue. It took some time for me to adjust to this as I've been on a diet of mainstream movies that favour a shorter and snappier format. Forgive my impatience. 

The film also gives off a strong "indie quirky vibe" à la Wes Anderson, with some "cinematic" or aesthetic shots and brilliant surreal sets that are curious and fun.

Premise: 

Emma Stone plays Bella Baxter, a woman brought back to life by the wacky scientist Dr Godwin (Dafoe, best known for playing Spiderman's Green Goblin).  She grows up as a child in a beautiful woman's body and explores the world, chasing her various pursuits (mainly novelty, pleasure and then knowledge).

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  Spoilers: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The film examines several themes like scientific ethics (should you (a) save the baby AND transplant the brain into her mother (who committed suicide)?) Very absurd. It's both terrible and amazing simultaneously. If you are pro-life I suppose this is a Yes, even if it's a concept that is hard to stomach.

1. Yes, as humans it is natural that we would like to know some results of certain experiments BUT morally some of these are so... wrong. Things only look OK when they go well (ie. a Bella that functions well and has independent thought. But each time Felicity (the second Bella) came on screen, I couldn't help but feel horror that the experiment was repeated.

 I guess some scientists work by the code of 'do first, apologise later'. It's just a fact that public favour turns quickly and they can be relentless and fast to give or retract support depending on your success. So is it brave to ignore public sentiment or folly? Very debatable.

2. The feminist themes are evident and someone on Letterboxd commented that this film was basically 'Barbie' but set in a steampunk era. (lol) The themes are not super well executed though? Is it truly because it was directed by a man?

What was also a bit jarring for me was the frequent and overt cuts of Bella's friend saying "I'm a socialist" etc? Why? Felt like a rushed insert and an underdeveloped idea for the film.

The last segment of Bella investigating her previous life as Victoria Blessington felt hurried to me - I guess there was still too much to cover! Her husband was evil but this was not really explored enough due to lack of screen time I believe. 

But I did enjoy Bella 'growing up' and developing her sense of self. Her calling Dr. Godwin 'God' is also amusing since he technically created her. 

Overall

Interesting film with layers of social commentary (feminism etc), but with a 2h 21min run time, perhaps the middle bits where the 'shock factor' was applied liberally in bed scenes could be trimmed. Or maybe that's the point? I get that the concept of empowerment is explored here, but more often than not prostitution in many parts of the world is part of trafficking rings etc and not of free will. There is no 'choice' like Bella suggests. I'm also amazed she has no STDs haha. 

The screen time spent on the sexual scenes could have been used to develop the last legs of the movie where Bella becomes a doctor or even before that - like how Alfie Blessington was the true monster. 

Max McCandles is also quite a Yes-Man or a pushover? But I guess the development came when he decided to fight a little for Bella. (Not that she needed saving)

The costumes were elaborate and absolutely immaculate. A+++ For more details and inspiration of the costumes check out this lovely interview.

Oh my, what a treat! Just look at them:

I love how her hair grows progressively longer and how 'free' she becomes as the film went on. 

The set? My favourite would be the cruise segments where it was quite like a fever dream. Loved the style choices and how they reflected the time and space. The cable car things were intriguing! 

The transition slides were also heartbreakingly gorgeous. The visuals are truly so stunning!

I really liked this transition scene. It's so dramatic, sombre yet fun. 

Is every 'woman lying motionless in water' a nod to Shakespeare's Ophelia? Haha. 

The fact that the movie was bolstered by strong, respected actors doesn't hurt too. By the end of the movie you should be quite charmed by Emma Stone's portrayal of Bella, "without shame". (Read her interview with thewrap here)

And Ruffalo? It must be nice and freeing to step away from being the Hulk after so long.  (Marvel's movies are just too action packed to truly make use of the emotional depths their star studded cast can create!!! What a pity?!?!?)

I also just realised that Poor Things was a novel first. Sad to say I did not read it before the movie as I usually do! T_T

Final Rating:

Did I use to give ratings on this blog?  I can't remember. I suppose this was a 7.5/10 for me. Like I said, the second half of the movie lagged for me and too many themes were introduced but not resolved in a satisfying way. I wish that could have been developed better!

Not something I would rewatch or necessarily recommend heavily to others, but still an interesting film to be experienced. 

That's all! Cheers to finding more interesting movies to watch.

Love,

Skye

P.S. Sometimes it's so difficult to figure out what to watch on streaming services. It makes you yearn for the simplicity of TV programming of yesteryear. (But it's too nice not to be watching loud advertisements every 15 minutes, and the flexibility and choices are too great to ever revert.)