“Anora”: A Modern-Day Cinderella Story (With a Russian Oligarch and Way More Vodka)
Pour yourself a stiff one, because the latest episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast is a wild ride through Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece, “Anora”! If you thought Cinderella’s story was a fairytale, just wait until you hear about Ani, a Brooklyn stripper who swaps a glass slipper for a private jet and a very expensive fur coat after a whirlwind, vodka-fueled romance with Vanya, the ridiculously rich son of a Russian oligarch.
The gang, including award-winning producer Kent Smith, actor Patrick G. Keenan, critic Laura Truman, and the delightfully grumpy “Audio Genius” Carlisle Hamrick, are joined by special guest Nicolas Brown. With his behind-the-camera experience on shows like The Righteous Gemstones and Outer Banks, Nicolas brings some real on-set magic to the discussion. And probably a few stories about what happens after “a few too many celebratory beverages on set.”
The hosts dive into this hilarious, chaotic, and ultimately heartbreaking tale, pondering some of life’s most pressing questions. How much alcohol does it take to truly fall in love with a guy who’s still playing video games during… well, everything? What’s the perfect adult beverage to pair with an unexpected, international annulment drama? And can you ever really outrun a Russian oligarch’s family in a high-stakes chase scene through Brooklyn?
“Anora” is a cinematic cocktail of screwball comedy and genuine emotional depth. It’s a “Pretty Woman” meets “run for your life from some very serious Russians” kind of film, and our hosts, with their collective experience and love of cinema, break down every magnificent, cringe-worthy, and poignant moment.
So, grab your favorite drink and join the party. This episode is a rollicking good time, with a splash of cinematic wisdom and a chaser of questionable life choices. And we promise, you’ll be laughing all the way to the credit roll—or at least until the international annulment papers arrive.
For more episodes and film reviews, visit adultbeverage.org.
