Movie #3181 "Poor Things" (Movie Theater) Stunned is a word I would use after seeing this movie -- I really didn't know what I was going into because I hadn't heard Emma Stone or Mark Ruffalo interviewed on the film, just Dafoe. So I knew it was some kind of Doctor Frankenstein type of film. I also knew, according to rotten tomatoes.com, that critics mostly LOVE it, and audience score was in the 80's, not as much but some liking it and finding worth in it. I don't always agree with critics, but I am stunned so many people are saying such good things about it. And I truly didn't want to even write a blog on it -- I have walked out of films that were probably better than this one, for one reason or another (I can't watch rape scenes or man's inhumanity to man (extreme and esp. to children) like in "Clockwork Orange" --- I don't get much out of films that I cringe at -- don't see horror pictures for that reason --- and that's why I never could be a paid critic. But after seeing sooo many films, old and new, in all genres (except horror), I feel I have somewhat of a pulse on what general viewers like, and also after studying film books in film classes, I feel I have somewhat of a pulse on what makes a good film. That being said, I must admit that I should have done my homework and read what was written next to this film on rotten tomatoes: "Gore (Disturbing Material/Graphic Nudity/Language/Strong Sexual Content)" That is usually enough to keep me away personally. But I probably would have still gone to see it because it has several golden globe nominations and critics' choice awards, unfortunately. I say unfortunately, because I feel many people like me might want to go see what all the hubbub is about and will not like this film and walk out, or at least cringe a lot because I would say 60% of the film has sex and gore scenes. It's the amount that is disturbing to me --- I get why some are used -- she is curious about the world and of course gets introduced to sex--by the end of her exploration (most of the film), I get that she ironically discovers that reading and stimulation of the mind rather than the body is more to her liking. But it is in the getting there that is disturbing. That is why I finally decided to sit down and put some thoughts into words about the experience I had with this film. I DO NOT recommend it --- I respect the photography, props and set decorating and costumes. I think Emma Stone does everything to get this character across, but not her fault really that this film is so cringeworthy in the amount of disturbing and sexual scenes in it, and therefore takes away hugely from the performance. This is all my opinion, not a paid critic.
I don't want to give it a score, and I would just add that it should be rated more than an R rating more like an X --or bring back NC-17?
"POOR THINGS" 2023 R 2 hr and 21 mins
The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter.
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Writers: Tony McNamara, Alasdair Gray
Actors: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
