“Anora” is a triumph of creative chaos

For screenwriters, there’s a helpful chaos theory.
It’s one of the reasons that “Anora” (shown here) – in theaters now, on Hulu starting March 17 – was a worthy winner of five Academy Awards, including best picture.
That still doesn’t mean everyone should rush to see it. This film has enough of many things – sex, nudity, language – to disrupt fragile souls and bring arrests in fragile nations.
But it also has much more – great characters, perfect performances (especially by Oscar-winner Mikey Madison) and clever chaos.
The theory was explained to me using the example of Uncle Tonoose, Hans Conried’s bigger-than-life character, arriving on “The Danny Thomas Show.”
No, he doesn’t simply show up on a peaceful day. Instead, we see the family frantically buzzing around, late for an appointment. At this moment, the disruptive Tonoose arrives; chaos ensues.
British and Fremch farces work chaos skillfully; Blake Edwards (writer-director of the Pink Panther films and more) was the best American practitioner. And now Sean Baker (who won Oscars for writing, directing and editing “Anora”) turns it into an art form.
There are three parts to the film, each finding new depth to Alora (Madison). I won’t reveal any plot twists, but they are:
— The first, showing Anora’s work and her sudden romance. It’s fairly bright, carefree … and exceptionally R-rated.
— The middle portion, when chaos consumes everything. It takes up over half the film.
Much of it is in one room, with just four characters … then three … then four again. None are in control. They throw around words, threats, schemes and household objects. It’s hilarious, as long as you overlook the urgency.
Then things spread out. These four agents of chaos are in pleasure places – strip clubs, video parlors, even a candy store.
— And the final portion, which is a complete change-of-pace.
It has just two people and two settings. It’s slow, quiet, sometimes silent. And it has the extra elements that transform some enjoyable chaos into a worthy winner of the Academy Award for best picture