Poor Things is a story of self-exploration and discovery. Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) is the literal creation of her surgeon father Godwin (Willem Dafoe). Set during a fantastical version of Victorian Europe, Godwin dabbles in questionable medical practices and techniques. Bella represents his ultimate achievement: a young woman with another person’s mind. However, Bella’s brain and body are not currently in sync. While she looks like an adult, her intelligence level reflects a childlike state. But Bella is learning quickly. As she tackles mastering motor functions and speech, she soon learns of a whole world to experience outside her sheltered homelife. Determined to have her own adventure, Bella sets out and encounters a myriad of characters all of whom help shape her worldview.
What works in Poor Things is just about everything including the performances, the direction, the tone, the design, and sound. Director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, The Lobster) brings Alasdair Gray’s novel to life in an elaborate symphony of sight and sound where every note has been meticulously composed. Stone in particular turns in award-worthy work as her character effortlessly evolves right before the audiences’ eyes. Bella experiences a lifetime in only a few months floating between peril, comedy, tragedy, love, and loss with wonder in her eyes. Her unique situation allows her to question societal norms, bucking the trends of what might be considered “appropriate behavior.” This is Lanthimos’ way of commenting on cultural disparity and disparaging biases/prejudices. Finally, the alternate universe in Poor Things is a delightful marvel full of wild costumes, locations, and surprises around every turn. This wonderous combination results in a thoroughly entertaining affair.
RELATED: New Poster and Featurette with Emma Stone in Frankenstein-like Film Poor Things
Audiences who feel uncomfortable with graphic depictions and discussions about “taboo” topics such as sex and nudity may not enjoy Poor Things as much as others. Many scenes and sequences deal with Bella exploring her sexuality in non-discrete ways. Lanthimos portrays this tastefully, attempting to normalize this growth as a part of life. Never-the-less, these moments could prove awkward depending on the viewing circumstances. Furthermore, Poor Things is unapologetically odd. Its reality includes strange behaviour and medical experiments that range from “kinda gross” to “kinda weird.” Audiences simply should be aware that the film basically has no filter, and thus all kinds of unusual things happen on screen.
Poor Things is a wild, fantastically constructed film. It brilliantly blends heart, humor, and drama as an analysis of gender, race, and age-related stereotypes. It also calls into question certain ethical behaviours about life and truth that will likely stick in peoples’ minds long after the credits roll. Finally, Emma Stone’s performance might be worth the price of admission alone given her outstanding ability to create singularly unique character brimming with curiosity and joy. Very highly recommended.
Recommended if you Enjoyed: The Favourite, The Lobster, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Poor Things is now available in theaters.
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