Poor Things Movie Review

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“Poor Things” could possibly be one of the darkest comedies I’ve ever seen, but what a wonderful experience it was.

In the simplest definition, it’s about a grown woman with the brain of a young child who doesn’t understand or live by societal norms. Before you realize why this woman, Bella, played by the soon-to-be Academy-Award nominated Emma Stone, behaves like a child, you’re thoroughly baffled but not at all disinterested, even though it could have been trimmed down about a good thirty minutes.

Bella acts like a child and is a spoiled brat. When Bella wants something, she screams and throws things if she doesn’t get it or until she does. She acts like a four-year-old. But if you think about it… she is. Why is this? I won’t spoil it for you, but I promise you’ll find the reason fascinating.

Willem Dafoe (The Last Temptation of Christ) plays Dr. Godwin Baxter, whom Bella calls God and is effectively her father. He’s a Dr. Frankenstein of sorts. Baxter didn’t want to, but he developed feelings for her; he loves her like his own child. Probably because he wasn’t so lucky in life. His father experimented on him, applying great pain for the best results.

Though this is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who wrote and directed “The Favourite,” “The Lobster,” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” all brilliant, this one stands out from them. He didn’t write “Poor Things,” and I think that shows in several ways. One aspect is in how far the plot goes than the others in its sexuality. It was surprisingly carnal, but let’s face it, we’re adults and can handle a few d*ck jokes.

But I felt it had to be mentioned because some may not appreciate how far our lead character and some around her will go to copulate when she finally discovers, alone in her bed, no doubt, how she can make herself happy. She calls it “working on herself.” The aging lassie finds an apple a handy tool at one point. Oh, what a scene.

She meets Duncan Wedderburn, played by Mark Ruffalo from “In the Cut” and “Foxcatcher.” He’s there to see Baxter but falls for the young woman. Duncan turns her on immensely. There’s so much more to her part, but it’s evident that as she begins to become a more sophisticated person around this time, her body wants and needs the heat she feels when his hands are between her legs. Realizing Bella has basically been a prisoner all of her life for reasons he’s unaware of, he wants to take her on an adventure. She needs this to become the woman she’s beginning to feel she might be.

Mark Ruffalo is in love and wants to keep her to himself. This is similar to what she has previously undergone in her life. He sells it to her lovingly and she’s off on what will most likely be a risky venture for the both of them. What occurs after they leave is unbelievable. The entire film is unbelievable, but as she looks upon, for the first time ever, children dying in the streets of hunger when she sleeps on feathered beds, she can’t get past it. She believes money is a form of sickness and then becomes conscious of the fact that she has nothing to offer the world.

“Poor Things” is an astonishing tale of madness. The visuals are stunning. Your eyes will widen during several scenes, but it’s beautifully constructed and the actors deserve credit by you seeing it when it comes out on December 15th, in a theater near you. Emma Stone, with her movements and the way she speaks as she ages, won’t let go of you. In fact, there isn’t a bad performer in the bunch.

The story is all about what Bella wants and what people want from her. How the set changes as she mentally develops is hard to notice, but you will. Who she is by the end couldn’t make you happier. This film is a must-see, especially for the dialogue, and if you have enjoyed the previous work of Yorgos Lanthimos, you know you’re in for a hell of a ride. You need to keep an eye on it for the Academy Awards it’ll be up for, as well. How many will it get?