Film Review- "Poor Things"

This movie flew under my radar despite all the awards it won. I liked Yorgos Lanthimos' previous films, "The Lobster" and "Killing the Sacred Deer," which were darker, more tense films. Even looking at some of the reviews of this film, I think they are missing a key point, that I was immediately clued in on...this is a remake of "Bride of Frankenstein".Much in the same way, "The Shape of Water" is a remake of  "The Creature From the Black Lagoon". 

Yes, I know there is a book this is based upon. Still, that book is also another telling of "Bride of Frankenstein"  Mary Shelley, never delved into the Bride aspect, aside from the fact that the Monster demanded Victor Frankenstein make him a mate, a project he started on, but became repulsed by the idea and aborted the project, thus escalating the Monster's malice against him. 

Though the film portrayals of this rarely use this part of the story, unless they dedicate an entire movie to it. This more whimsical take on the story does add its own detail, such as Emma Stone's character trying to kill herself while pregnant, and the unborn baby's brain is transplanted into her, rather than just being bodies cobbled together to create new life. Willem Dafoe's character is the Monster, whose creator, whom he refers to as his father, picked up the art of reanimation, as the entire estate is filled with experiments that add to the atmosphere of the film. 

In the movie itself, you can feel the ambiance of a Terry Gilliam movie. Emma Stone's acting is great. The wardrobe department took inspiration from Poppy, as every outfit Stone wore made her look more like her. The only flaw of this movie is a common mistake when Hollywood tries too hard to push something like girl power, as the movie's message becomes, the best way for a woman to make her way in the world is to become a whore, as she can not possibly have any other qualities aside from using sex as their stock and trade. This is the lesson Emma Stone's character becomes empowered by, with her big moment being not someone's property. Thus, she turns the tables. However, this is a minor annoyance; the bulk of the movie was a feast for the eyes, and well acted to you are largely distracted by this.