Anora, but she doesn't like to be called that. It's Ani and don't you forget it.

Mikey Madison is Ani in Sean Baker's new film, his next stab at creating an idiosyncratic comedy/drama with a lumbering amount of verve. Full-on worshipping at the altar of bygone kitchen sink realism and exploitation sensationalism. Let's take our seats, the show is about to begin.

Anora is a descent, but one that takes the scenic route through the primal joys of debauchery and delusion. Ani is an escort and stripper who meets Ivan one night at the club she works at. Ivan is Russian and filthy rich, the 21-year-old son of a mysterious billionaire, and he manages to charm the hell out of Ani... or pay for her to be charmed. It's kind of both, while also where the trouble starts and also an indication of the levels of nuance constantly percolating through every beat of this high-wire tale.

A romance with a price tag turns into a marriage turns into a group of Armenian men banging down Ivan's door as his parent's do not approve of him getting married to a prostitute. They haven't met Ani though and there's a reason why the film is named after her. Mikey Madison more than fits that designation with a vivacious and resilient performance, emanating so much spirit that you can't take your eyes off of her.

The film itself is long, detailed, and sprawling, although in many ways feels like one of those "one crazy night" experiences a la After Hours or Go. It's even got that same haphazard tone, which at times I even found myself needed to recalibrate to as violence escalates but hilarious smirks are just a remark away. The performances are all game, as little jokes and specific quirks continuously elevate this stressful "adventure" (for lack of a better word). Shot beautifully, edited maniacally, and needle-dropped to emphasize those primal joys that will rot your teeth.

I could probably nitpick the little tiny things that didn't quite work for me but ultimately this is another ambitious and audacious outing for a supremely talented director. It's as if he just keeps getting better and better, even if Red Rocket remains my favourite of his (which in a way reminds me of Good Time and Uncut Gems, the favourite and the more objectively better work).

Fuck it, just go hang out with Anora... err, I mean Ani... for a couple hours. You won't regret it.