I liked Yorgos Lanthimos’ film The Lobster because it had this absurd yet horrific premise that those who cannot find a romantic match to lead to a state approved marriage are literally turned into animals, which the subject is allowed to choose. Of course there is always a countermovement to such authorization societal control, but ultimately one can never be sure if the people who seem against the system you are against is not in itself organized opposition masquerading as a rebellion. This means you are on your own. Hence The Lobster was both dystopian science fiction and an absurdist drama.
With his latest film Poor Things we are introduced into a quasi fantastical realm inspired by loosely by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with bizarre instances where a mad scientist coughs up gross bubbles, airships travel through the city like something reminiscent of Flash Gordon and a Victorian sensibility that extends into the behavior of society down to the clothes they wear.
Enter into this world Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
The film is a contender for the Best Picture Oscar at the 2024 Academy Awards. The picture is beautifully presented at 4K Ultra HD with DolbyVision and Dolby ATMOS viewing and listening options.
Extra value features include a making of featurette (21:22) and three deletes scenes that can be viewed individually or as one reel.
Poor Things is available digitally now on multiple streaming platforms and through Movies Anywhere platform.
(C) Copyright 2024 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
