Poor Things may bag Emma Stone her second Oscar as the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed movie has opened up to widespread critical acclaim following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
In particular, the 34-year-old actress has been praised for her hilariously bold and fearless sex scenes in the movie, which is based on Alasdair Gray’s novel of the same name. In the film, unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) brings Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) back to life by implanting her unborn child’s brain into her head, meaning that she’s an infant living in the body of an adult.
Soon after, she runs off on a whirlwind adventure across the globe, where she experiences many firsts regarding equality and liberation, including discovering sex for the first time.
The film went down a treat with critics upon its premiere, with many dubbing it «one of the best films of the year». Emma was also singled out for her performance, with Vulture stating of Emma’s intimate scene: «Bella’s desire — for men, for dramatic dancing, for pastel de nata, and eventually, for intellectual stimulation and agency — drives the film.
«She reveals herself to be one of cinema’s horniest legends, f***ing her way across the European seaboard. Stone’s performance matches that fearlessness; she goes for broke here, cumming loudly, her body and face hitting every note of the human sexual experience — thrill, disappointment, disgust, horror, intrigue. »
Entertainment Weekly added: «Bella is a cinematic heroine for the ages, and Poor Things is a unique piece of artistry. With Yorgos Lanthimos behind the camera, it’s not hard to find it fascinating to be alive. »
The Independent added that: «Stone gives surely the boldest performance of her career so far, in a role that puts upon her heavy physical and psychological demands. «
«She reveals herself to be one of cinema’s horniest legends, f***ing her way across the European seaboard. Stone’s performance matches that fearlessness; she goes for broke here, cumming loudly, her body and face hitting every note of the human sexual experience — thrill, disappointment, disgust, horror, intrigue. »