Written by Tony McNamara (screenplay) and Alasdair Gray (based upon the novel)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Vicki Pepperdine and Ramy Youssef
Runtime 2 hours and 21 minutes (worth it)
MPAA Rating R for graphic nudity, gore, disturbing material, language and strong sexual content
In theaters December 8

by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

“Who would like to reconstruct the organs?”

Poor Things is the monster movie I’ve been waiting for.

Remember The Dork (aka Dark) Universe? Of corpse you do! It blessed the world with: The Mummy (2017). This is a flick I never want to forget. For if I did, I might make the mistake of accidentally watching it again. An activity that would be an actual horror. As stated in a previous rambling for MovieJawn; the day that the offices of the Dark Universe shuddered should have been deemed a national holiday. Everyone should have had the day off to celebrate with copious amounts of cake. I never wanted my monster pals to be action stars or smoothies. I want them brooding, curious beings with a side of disgusting. A true monster picture should be melancholic with artful atmospheric lighting surrounded by an abundance of fog. With Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos delivers a delightfully bizarre Frankenstein tale that is reminiscent of the golden age of the Universal Monster Movies.

Similar to everyone on planet Earth, Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) did not ask to be made. Unlike the rest of us though, Bella’s journey into this world was unlike any expedition ever taken. Her bone-filled flesh vessel is not the one she was meant to inhabit. As the saying goes, with death comes new life.

First encountering Bella Baxter is much like having a run in with a toddler. The notable difference is her stature. Bella is a stumbling and mischievous child in an adult frame. Her creator, the eccentric scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) suffers from unconventional ailments caused by experiments his father performed on him as a youth. Aftermaths of these tests are cause for Godwin to emit globules of air, walk through life with a scarred face, and be fearful of society. Between serving as a university teacher and the doctor’s never ending mad-sciencing in his laboratory, he acquires aid from unassuming assistant, Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef) to track Bella’s progress. In meeting Bella the likely outcome is to have a plethora of questions. For Max his inquiries also bring infatuation. Nevertheless, Godwin (or as Bella refers to him, God) offers few answers, leaving her origin rather murky. All the while one thing is quite clear: Bella wants to go outside. Bella wants to explore. Bella wants adventure. Most importantly she wants ice cream.

When a corrupt lawyer and cad named Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) blows into Bella’s life like a tumbleweed, he is her key to escape the confines of the Baxter estate. Despite the misgivings of Godwin and Max, Bella is determined to walk out the door. Being kept securely sheltered, she has not experienced the horrors of humanity that Godwin has faced. Wedderburn takes Bella on a grand tour of various locations that ultimately leads to not only an exploration of the world, but herself. Bella’s inquisitiveness and child-like demeanor reveal the truths about life; it is indeed a gift and a curse. As Bella travels the world she makes numerous discoveries, many of which are of a sexual nature. She encounters various walks of life which lead to her understanding of what is at play in terms of socioeconomic status. All of this ultimately leads her to evolve into a fantastical human.

The production design and costuming within this film are a feast for the eyes. I could not help the feeling of wanting to crawl into this picture so that I would be able to explore it further. The performances are memorable in the best way possible. There is not a deadbeat in the cast. However, the standouts are clear. Emma Stone completely transforms into her role as Bella Baxter to deliver a character that will linger in minds well after exiting the cinema. Mark Ruffalo is extraordinary in playing the smarmy Duncan Wedderburn which ultimately made watching the character’s downfall that much more sweeter.

Watching the character of Bella unfold and develop is a delight. There is a scene that has gotten quite a bit of airtime from the trailer, that involves Bella eating at an upscale restaurant while an infant wails in the background. She proclaims, “I must go punch that baby!”. I would be lying if I said I did not I relate to Bella, particularly in this scene, especially after having dined at Belle’s Castle in Disney World. My wish is that I could have as much vigor and tenacity as she.

This is a picture that should be enjoyed from the comfort of a darkened theater with someone that treasures the cinematic experience. After the screening will require a coffee and a slice of pie to savor while having the inevitable conversation that the film is sure to spark.

I see this film as being in the same realm of monsters movies a la Dracula, The Invisible Man, Frankenstein, etc. What I enjoyed about this tale more though was seeing the “monster” not only acclimate to society, but also become accepted. Poor Things is a reminder that we may not have asked to be part of this world, but instead were given the opportunity to be. Somewhere along the way we stop asking how and instead ask why… but in the end, we all have a choice to either become a monster or a Bella Baxter.