An extended, fuller look trailer for Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” has been released and it looks delightfully unhinged.
It really feels like an old-school Terry Gilliam movie. Dreamy, surreal, deadpan. But also unlike anything Lanthimos has done before. Along with the Gilliam influences, there is also a hint of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s films.
Fish eyed lens, anachronistic sci-fi and some low-angled shots. The visuals look stunning. Emma Stone seems to be having the time of her life — is she overacting? I don’t care. The film has been getting across-the-board raves at fall festivals.
Lanthimos seems to be taking big risks with this one. I’m not sure how Searchlight will be marketing it to a wide audience, but who really cares.
Official synopsis:
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
The film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott.
Last month, “Poor Things” won the Golden Lion at Venice. Emma Stone has major Oscar buzz for her performance. The film comfortably sits at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic. It’s not much of a stretch to say that it’s the best reviewed movie of the year.
Lanthimos is the filmmaker behind “The Favorite,” “Dogtooth,” “The Lobster” and “The Killing of A Sacred Deer.”