"Poor Things" earns high praise in Christy Lemire's review. The film, Yorgos Lanthimos's best yet, captivates with its wonderfully bizarre elements, stellar performances, and exquisite technical craftsmanship, making it the best movie of the year.
Let's break down the movie review of "Poor Things" by Christy Lemire for the four steps of art criticism:
1. Description:
- The review provides a detailed account of the movie's visual elements, mentioning the Victorian London setting, the character Bella Baxter, and the contrasting environments from a tasteful townhouse to various locations like Lisbon and Paris.
2. Analysis:
- The critic analyzes the director Yorgos Lanthimos's style, highlighting the contrast between decorum and messy humanity. There's an analysis of the character dynamics, including Bella's relationships with Dr. Godwin Baxter, Max McCandles, and Duncan Wedderburn.
3. Interpretation:
- The critic interprets the film as being about the awkwardness of forming genuine human connections, with Bella seeking enlightenment and genuine relationships. The mention of Bella's journey and her desire to establish enriching connections adds an interpretative layer.
4. Judgment:
- The critic offers a positive judgment, calling "Poor Things" Yorgos Lanthimos's best film yet. Specific praises are given to the wonderfully bizarre elements, including performances, dialogue, production, and costume design. The detailed analysis of Willem Dafoe, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and other cast members reflects a positive judgment.
Overall, the review appreciates the film's uniqueness, performances, and technical elements, ultimately deeming it the best movie of the year.