Anora wins 5 Oscars, but the film disappoints.

New Delhi 05 March (VNI)Oscar buzz surrounds Sean Baker’s "Anora," which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes and three Oscars. It is the first American film to win at Cannes since Terrence Malick’s "The Tree of Life" in 2011. But while Malick’s film was a beautiful masterpiece, "Anora" is a chaotic ride that feels tiring rather than engaging.

Baker is known for making real and raw films about people often ignored by society, like he did in his 2021 movie "Red Rocket." But he sometimes focuses too much on shocking moments instead of good storytelling. "Anora" has the same issue. At 140 minutes, the film feels too long, filled with loud scenes but missing deep emotions.

Mikey Madison gives a strong performance as Anora, or Ani, a 23-year-old lap dancer at a fancy New York strip club. She knows how to handle her world and use her charm to survive. But instead of showing her character in a deep way, Baker presents her in flashy scenes without much meaning. Even though Madison is fully committed to the role, Ani still feels like a mystery rather than a real person.

The story changes when Ani meets Vanya (Mark Eidelshtein), a rich Russian who gives her money and suddenly takes her to Vegas for a wild wedding. This could have been an interesting power struggle, but instead of focusing on Ani’s emotions and reasons, the film spends too much time on partying, missing a chance to tell a meaningful story.

Things get even more chaotic when Vanya’s rich Russian family learns about the wedding. The movie suddenly turns into a crazy chase across New York City, as Vanya’s family sends three silly thugs to cancel the marriage. What starts as a serious drama turns into a messy comedy full of constant yelling and rushing. The loud and confusing scenes make it hard to care about Ani’s journey or what happens to Vanya.

Baker’s choice to film in real locations makes the city feel alive, adding some realism. But this is weakened by exaggerated acting and extreme situations. The film tries to look real and natural, but instead, it feels repetitive and overwhelming.

In the end, "Anora" tries to mix drama and chaos but doesn’t succeed. What could have been a deep and interesting story turns into an exhausting watch. Baker’s bold style grabs attention but lacks emotional depth. The film demands to be noticed, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impact, making its Cannes win surprising.