Brace yourself for a cinematic journey that intertwines dark comedy with profound storytelling in Searchlight Pictures’ ‘Poor Things.’ now showing in Philippine cinemas, this film offers an exceptional Valentine’s celebration option, showcasing a quirky and engaging narrative that has captivated audiences and critics alike.
Award-Winning Excellence
‘Poor Things‘ emerges as a frontrunner this awards season, clinching the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and Best Performance by a Female Actor, courtesy of the remarkable Emma Stone. The film’s excellence is further underscored by its 11 Academy Award nominations for 2024, spanning categories like Best Picture, Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Tony McNamara), alongside 11 nods from the British Academy Film Awards.
(L to R) Willem Dafoe, Emma Stone, Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo attend the UK Gala Screening of Searchlight Pictures, ‘Poor Things’ at the Barbican London, on December 14, 2023. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney)
Stellar Cast and Creative Adaptation
Featuring an ensemble cast led by Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and others, ‘Poor Things’ is a testament to storytelling brilliance. Adapted from Alasdair Gray’s novel, the film narrates the life of Bella Baxter – a young woman revived by a scientist, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and liberation in Victorian Glasgow.
Bella Baxter’s quest is not just a physical journey across continents but a metaphorical voyage through societal norms and personal identity. Her adventures, set against a backdrop of drama, romance, and grim humor, invite viewers to ponder the essence of humanity, the courage to explore, and the strength to defy conventions.
Don’t miss the chance to delve into the captivating world of ‘Poor Things.’ Secure your seats at a theater near you and join the conversation online using the hashtag #PoorThingsPH. For more updates, follow Searchlight Pictures on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Embrace the opportunity to witness a film that not only challenges conventions but also celebrates the spirit of exploration and personal growth. ‘Poor Things‘ is more than just a movie; it’s an invitation to reflect, laugh, and embark on an unforgettable cinematic adventure.
I’m a huge fan of the works of Yorgos Lanthimos. From ‘The Lobster’ and ‘Killing of a Sacred Deer’ to ‘The Favourite,’ I’ve found that his style of highly formalistic realities playing out a sort of morality play that critiques contemporary human society has always been executed with such a delightful meticulousness of craft. Not only are the worlds that he creates out of the box and off-kilter but the way by which he presents them amplifies the absurdity of human life. His use of crazy camera angles and distorted visuals (like the use of the fisheye lens in ‘The Favourite’) and the unsettling musical score that he favours; his works have always been equal parts hilarious and disturbing.
Of the three works that he’s done that I’ve seen (and I heard his earlier, non-English works are even better), they have always been mired in irony and expressed a cynical view of the world. So, it’s surprising that his latest outing, ‘Poor Things’ ends somewhat hopeful, even joyful and it’s a shift that feels more aligned to his irreverent sense of humor because it still feels like the other shoe is about to drop. And unlike his previous films, this one ends right before it does.
‘Poor Things’ centers around the growth of Bella (Emma Stone). We are introduced to her as a woman who had “hurt her head” and is now learning everything all over again like that of a child. While the setting implies a Victorian-era London, Lanthimos and screenwriter Tony McNamara opt for a dreamy, lo-fi steam punk world. It has shades of George Melies with a bit of the Spanish architect and painter Gaudi splashed into the aesthetic design. Bella is in the care of a brilliant surgeon Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), a master of anatomy and surgery, who conducts experiments that is akin to Dr. Moreau. His home is a menagerie of strange animal experiments. A duck with a dog’s body. A chicken with a pig’s head. And then there’s Bella, a grown woman acting like a child.
When Godwin asks one of his students, Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef) to watch over Bella and record her growth, he questions her origins but cannot help but find her attractive. He falls for her and in the urgings of the paternal Godwin, Max proposes marriage to Bella, who at this point is old enough to understand a portion of what it means and accepts.
Except Bella still wants to know more about the world, so seduced by a sly lawyer, Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), Bella leaves home to explore the world outside the safe yet imprisoning walls of Godwin Baxter’s home.
What presents itself as either a strange gothic romance or a meditation on the morality and cruelty of scientific experiments conducted in the post-period of enlightenment, the movie really is a coming-of-age story of a woman who wants to understand the world. Bella’s unique circumstance allows her to see the world as an innocent, with pure intentions and is grasping for experiences that will help her wrestle with all the emotions that come with the knowledge about the world itself. Her mental growth is quick and fast, and in a few months, she has the mind of an intelligent young teen (though the sentence structure of a verbose child) but, having the body of a grown woman, she discovers the joy and power of sex and enjoys it.
Sex, then, becomes the fulcrum of her understanding of power and joy. Bella questions the world around her, including polite society, which – when taken from her point-of-view – is suspect about the true nature of the power dynamics involved. Unintentionally, to understand the world, she has to face what it means to be a woman and what society demands from her. With her child-like point-of-view, she feels no shame nor guilt of which society bears upon her. And because this, she is so much stronger than everyone in the world around her.
Everyone in this film is incredible, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo are doing their best work – and these are two actors who always do amazing work – but here, they synch into Lanthimos’ sense of absurdity and they fit right in. The mannered performances are brought in with equal levels of absurdity but tempered with the reason that they don’t feel like they are hamming it up.
But through and through, this is Emma Stone’s movie. It is all grounded on her and her portrayal of Bella. She is absolutely committed to this role and is unafraid of being foolish and vulnerable. She is acting with every inch of her body, creating a character that is rapidly growing before our eyes. From the times of Bella with the mindset of an infant to her fully grown and in full realization of who she is and what the world is capable of, you can see the shifts and nuances of the character’s transformation. If she wins her second Oscar for this role, it would be so deserved.
Lanthimos’ incredible filmmaking is so perfectly matched for this story. The pacing, the world building, the design, and the way he captures it on camera. After the prologue, he tells the story first in black-and-white to somehow mimic Bella’s view of the world – without colour, without understanding. But as she gets older, the colours start to come in. I was trying to take notice of when it would change and shift (I knew the film would be in color because of the trailers) but I was so engrossed in Emma Stone’s performance and the hilariousness of the screenplay that I totally missed the shift the film takes to colour. And when it does, the movie just comes completely alive as it coincides directly with Balla’s on growing perspective over the world.
It’s definitely a philosophical film as much as it is the ultimate coming-of-age story that I can think of. The incredible score by Jerskin Fendrix, with its discordant melodies highlight the imbalance of power and the ways by which Bella deals with the people around her. But the music finds moments of harmony, especially at its surprising end.
‘Poor Things’ is a complete assault on the senses and this aesthetic is wonderfully maintained all throughout its 142-minute running time. It’s an exquisite meditation on the world and manages to highlight the discrepancy of power between the sexes.
My Rating:
Poor Things is now showing. Check screening times and buy tickets here.
It’s another exciting week at the movies with a diverse lineup of films! Brace yourself for the spine-chilling horrors of “Double Blind,” the laughter-inducing mishaps in “I Am Not Big Bird,” and the gripping mysteries of “Madame Web.” Join us as we explore the diverse worlds brought to life by “Destino Pasional,” the whirlwind adventures of “Poor Things,” the heart-stopping thrills of “Slay Zone,” and and the terror unleashed in “The Jack in the Box Rises.” From captivating tales of love to heart-pounding suspense, this week’s releases promise an unparalleled cinematic experience.
Now, let’s take a sneak peek at what’s premiering this week:
In this spine-chilling blend of horror and science fiction, “Double Blind” plunges viewers into a nightmarish world where sleep equals death. After an experimental drug trial takes a sinister turn, the test subjects find themselves fighting for survival in a race against time. Trapped in an isolated facility, panic grips them as they struggle to stay awake and escape the clutches of impending doom.
Prepare for hilarity and hijinks in “I Am Not Big Bird,” where a holiday getaway takes an unexpected turn. Follow the misadventures of a 30-something virgin as he embarks on a trip to Thailand with friends, only to be mistaken for a famous Thai porn star. With a quirky chain of events unfolding, laughter ensues as our protagonist navigates through a series of comical misunderstandings.
In the action-packed adventure “Madame Web,” paramedic Cassandra Webb finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue and danger. Forced to confront secrets from her past, she forms an unlikely bond with three young women destined for greatness. As they navigate through a treacherous present, the stakes are high, and survival is far from guaranteed.
Experience the bittersweet romance of “Destino Pasional,” where fate brings together two strangers on a turbulent journey. Mahalia, a former dancer turned critic, crosses paths with Norberto, a biologist with a heartbreaking secret. As they embark on a passionate love affair against the backdrop of an unexpected flight delay, their lives intertwine in a poignant tale of love and loss.
Join the whirlwind adventure of “Poor Things,” where a young woman defies societal norms and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Revived by a scientist and accompanied by a debauched lawyer, she sets out to challenge the prejudices of her time. With a steadfast resolve for equality and liberation, she embraces her newfound freedom in a tale that’s both heartwarming and empowering.
Step into the thrilling world of “Slay Zone,” where a rural community is plunged into chaos by a series of mysterious killings. Led by Police Captain Corazon Fernandez and V, a renowned vlogger and model, the race to uncover the truth becomes a matter of life and death. With danger lurking around every corner, they must navigate through a web of secrets to uncover the sinister truth.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to catch up on some of the movies that are still captivating audiences in theaters. Here’s a list of fan favorites that are still showing in cinemas:
2023 • PG • 2 hrs 4 mins ACTION, ADVENTURE, FANTASY BUY TICKETS
That’s a wrap for this week’s new movie releases. So, don’t wait! Secure your tickets, grab your popcorn, and immerse yourself in the excitement of these new releases. As always, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid missing out on these must-see releases. Remember to check ClickTheCity for screening times and make your next movie-going experience unforgettable. Stay tuned for next week’s movie updates, and happy watching!
