Yorgos Lanthimos doesn't make normal films and, let's be honest, we wouldn't have it any other way. Personally, I wasn't too keen on The Lobster but since then, films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Favourite have seen him become a director whose films I will be excited to see. His latest, Poor Things, might just be my favourite of his yet and is as wild a ride as Lanthimos has taken us on before.
A young woman, Bella (Emma Stone), is brought back to life by her guardian, the scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Initially naïve, Bella is eager to learn about the world around her, albeit under Baxter's protection. Wanting to see more, she runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, and travels across continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella demands equality and liberation.
There may not be a better looking film than Poor Things all decade quite honestly. The production design is on another level, each location given an otherworldly feel through the intricacy and vibrancy on show, delivering an eye-popping visual experience at the cinema. Add to that the fantastic costume design and it's clear to see the detail that has gone into every aspect of the film. Robbie Ryan's cinematography, who Lanthimos has collaborated with a number of times now, utilises the fisheye lens once again to provide such a unique way of framing shots and keeping things fresh.
This is an absurdly funny film, Tony McNamara's screenplay full of true standout moments as we follow Bella on her journey of liberation, which includes wanting to punch a crying baby. If you've seen a Lanthimos film before, expect the unexpected throughout and, if you're not too keen on his work, Poor Things won't change your mind on him. There's an erratic nature to the film that makes it so fascinating and unpredictable, nothing reflecting this more than Jerskin Fendrix's wonderful score that feels as playful as the film itself.
In just two films, the collaborative relationship between Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone has become one of the best in Hollywood. Stone's performance here as Bella might just be her greatest achievement yet, excelling in both the immature aspect of the role and the physicality of it all. The nature of Bella's resurrection demands a committed performance and Stone goes all in with spectacular results. The two supporting performances from Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo respectively add quality to proceedings, the former being more subtle with his humour while the latter chews as much scenery as possible to get so many laughs. It's rare to see Ruffalo having such a good time in a role but it's something the world could do with more of as he totally revels in it.
While it may not be for everyone, Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things is an undeniably funny and twisted tale that features a scintillating lead performance from Emma Stone. Not only one of the best from London Film Festival but one of the best films of the year.
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