Mikey Madison boosts Oscar prospects at London Film Festival

The new film that won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival has debuted in London, as its breakout star continues to gain significant Oscar momentum.

Anora was awarded the Palme d’Or at the French film festival in May, launching lead actress Mikey Madison into the best actress race at next year’s Academy Awards.

The film tells the story of a 23-year-old woman working as a stripper in New York when she meets the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch.

In a small-voiced storyline from 1990’s Pretty Woman, the man pays Anora to move into his mansion and be his girlfriend, and the pair enjoy a whirlwind romance.

The film has received very positive reviews, with critics agreeing on the impressive performance of Madison in the main role.

“If ever there was a time to roll the red carpet and put an actress on the map, this is it,” said Screen Rant’s Patrice Witherspoon. “Madison is a star.”

The actress gave an “excellent performance”, agreed Guardian Peter Bradshawadding that the actress “owns the screen”.

Madison may not be a household name yet, but she’s no stranger either, having appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the 2022 reboot of the horror franchise Scream.

However, as Maddy Mussey of the Evening Standard stated: “Anora is actually a big break, and boy is she.”

Madison and director Sean Baker walked the red carpet ahead of the film’s UK premiere at the Royal Festival Hall on Saturday.

Anora is directed by Sean Baker, the US filmmaker behind Tangerine, The Florida Project and Red Rocket.

The film also stars Mark Eidelstein as a boy, Ivan, known as Vanya to his friends, and Karren Karagulian as Toros, a Russian man tasked with watching over him on behalf of Ivan’s parents.

But one of the best and most understated performances of this film comes from Yura Borisov as Igor, a tough but good henchman who works for Toros.

In addition to Madison’s own award chances, Borisov may be up for best supporting actor when the Oscar nominations are announced in January.

Like many of Baker’s previous films, Anora highlights and examines the lives of sex workers.

While developing the film, the director consulted current and former sex workers, including Andrea Werhun, who wrote a memoir in 2018 about her experiences.

Baker told Indiewire: “I think whatever you do, if you’re not part of the world or part of the community, it’s important to have a consultant, someone with life experience, on board and make sure you’re representing (it) in an accurate way, with responsible, in a respectful manner.”

At a launch event in London earlier this week, Madison said Werhun’s memoirs “really spoke to me … I was really curious and interested in his writing”.

He also discussed other ways he prepared for the role, explaining: “I went to New York early, about a month early, so I could live in Brighton Beach and immerse myself in the environment more. Also, so I could perfect my accent.”

Ed Potton of the Times explained Anora is “a great film from one of the world’s best independent directors” in a five-star review.

“Every character in Anora may be a nightmare, but they also enjoy spending time,” said Robbie Collin of the Telegraph, also gave it five stars and added: “There is nothing and nothing to draw attention to from Madison.”

However, some feel that the film’s running time of two hours and 20 minutes could be reduced.

“Anora takes the audience on a frenetic and wild ride that goes on for a little too long as zig zags to the desired result,” says Carla Hay of Culture Mix. “This film’s best asset is the acting.”

But Hannah Lodge of Screen Rex concludes: “Anora is as funny as it is stressful, it’s as loud as it is heartbreaking, and it’s as chaotic as it gets. It’s Baker’s best film to date.”