Poor Things
- Comedy
- Romance
- 2023
- Yorgos Lanthimos
- 141 mins
- 18
Summary:
Oscar-nominated drama telling the odd tale of Emma Stone's Bella Baxter, a woman brought back to life by crazed scientist Willem Dafoe
Why watch Poor Things?:
Yorgos Lanthimos's superb adaptation of Alasdair Gray's novel was one of the most successful films at the 2024 Academy Awards, with Emma Stone's second Best Actress win one of four Oscars the film picked up on the night – behind only the dominant Oppenheimer.
The surreal film sees Stone take on the role of a lifetime as Bella Baxter, a woman brought back from the dead in an experiment by eccentric Scottish scientist Godwin Baxter. As she learns to make use of her new brain, she embarks on an unconventional voyage of self-discovery that brings her into contact with a number of odious men, including Mark Ruffalo's caddish lawyer Duncan Wedderburn.
There are laughs aplenty to be had in Bella's madcap adventure, but despite its offbeat and often uproarious tone the film also engages with serious themes. Plus the exceptional, Oscar-winning production design and costuming ensures watching the film is a whimsical and delightful experience.
Patrick Cremona