Screenwriting : "Anora: The Hype, the Oscars, and My Thoughts on the Film" by Ella Manhattan

I wanted to share my thoughts on Anora, the film that dominated the Oscars this year. I don’t want to sound harsh or immodest, but to be honest, when I watched the film for the first time , it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. If it weren’t for all the hype surrounding it, I probably would have forgotten about it soon after watching. But forgetting wasn’t an option—everywhere I looked, the internet was buzzing about Anora, and then came the multiple Oscar wins in various categories.

What surprised me the most was its win for Best Screenplay. As a screenwriter, I paid special attention to this, and forgive me for being blunt, but I found myself wondering—what screenplay? It didn’t strike me as having a strong script in the traditional sense. Of course, opinions vary, and maybe that’s why they’re on the red carpet while I’m sitting at home on my couch. But I genuinely believe that, without the film itself, the screenplay wouldn’t hold much weight—neither psychologically nor literally or as an action.

So, what was there? Outstanding performances. The actors carried the entire film on their shoulders, elevating what was otherwise a fairly thin narrative. The lead actress was phenomenal, and the Russian actor, who won Best Supporting Actor, was simply brilliant. His ability to convey an internal struggle through complete emotional restraint was masterful. The scene where he holds Anora on his lap while she struggles to break free was especially striking—perhaps the only truly memorable moment for me. I even found myself wondering whether his character was physically reacting to the situation or remaining completely indifferent, which, in a way, was his greatest trick. Another moment that stood out was when he returned the diamond ring to her—perhaps the film’s most romantic touch.

I watched Anora before all the buzz started, and honestly, those are the only two scenes that really stayed with me. I have no particular desire to rewatch it, and I likely never will. The one thing that did genuinely excite me, however, was hearing so much Russian on the big screen. That was truly impressive. It’s incredible to see the Russian language taking center stage in global cinema. I’m not sure how this film translated into other languages, but Russian—especially its informal speech—is incredibly nuanced, filled with slang, swearing, and unique expressions that can be difficult to convey in translation. This film was packed with those linguistic subtleties, making it feel even more authentic.

In the end, I came to one clear conclusion: this film’s value lay in its director’s talent and reputation, not in its script or content. Once again, I’m reminded that, in cinema, the screenplay itself often means very little—unless, of course, it’s a groundbreaking, high-concept story or an adaptation of a well-known book. Otherwise, it’s the director, the actors, and the execution that truly bring a film to life.