Before it was commonplace in theMarvel Cinematic Universe,the idea of a shared universe across movies was a delight for audiences. It was exciting that the characters inChasing Amy,Clerks, andMallratsall seemed to know each other,in part through Jay and Silent Bob(Jay MewesandKevin Smith, respectively).Michael Keatonreprising his role as Ray NicolettefromJackie BrowninStephen Soderbergh’sOut of Sightwas a fun surprise for people who read theElmore Leonardnovels which inspired the two movies.Quentin Tarantinowas especially obsessed with this idea, with characters sharing connections across movies likePulp FictionandReservoir Dogs, but even hisfaux brand of Red Apple cigarettesbeing advertised by Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) inOnce Upon a Time… In Hollywood.
While the concept in and of itself is no longer a surprise, for a movie to do it unexpectedly is a true thrill. The critically acclaimed andPalme d’Or winning Anorais not the kind of movie one might expect to commit to fan service, considering its an original film developed entirely by writer, director, and editorSean Baker,and his creative cohorts had no prior entry from a franchise or source material to reference. Sharing a universe simply doesn’t seem likelyfor such a prestigious movieeither, rather something for the major blockbusters or perhaps an auteurist film. All the more reason it was so excitingfor the “blink, and you’ll miss it” referenceAnoragives to Baker’s previous film:Red Rocket.
‘Anora’ Hints at This Character’s Future
Red Rocketfollows an out-of-work adult entertainment star Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) attempting to rebuild himself in his hometown. While there and causing trouble for all involved,Mikey comes across a young woman that he perceives as his ticket back to glory.Raylee (Suzanne Son), or Strawberry as she prefers, is an attractive young woman who is, more importantly to Mikey, easily impressionable. After forming a business and eventually a sexual relationship with the young Strawberry,Mikey attempts to convince her to leave her family and movewithhim back to Los Angelesto start her own career in adult entertainment, which Mikey has assured her he would manage.
But the movie doesn’t makethe fate of Mikey or Strawberry clear. The movie is a character study of someone grifting through life, burning connections as he sees fit, inflating his own role in his success, and constantly envisioning what will get him to his next score. The final moments see Mikey at an all-time low butleave the viewer unclear whether his next gamble with Strawberry will work out for him. It’s not assured that he can make Strawberry into a star, or if they’ll both, perhaps, have to start from scratch.This answer is surprisingly revealed inAnorafor those looking closelyin the background.
Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou’s ‘Take-Out’ Is a Galvanizing Portrait of the Class Divide
All that matters, in the world of this film, is getting by.
What Does the ‘Anora’ and ‘Red Rocket’ Connection Mean?
Part of the fun of this connection is thatit doesn’t mean anything larger. There’s likely not going to be some sequel where Ani meets Mikey and Strawberry, nor is it trying to set up some sprawlingAvengers-stylecrossover, where Ani and Strawberry befriend Sid-Nee and Alexandra, the sex workers from Sean Baker’sTangerine, and together the four of them adopt Moonee fromThe Florida Projectto create a found family — wait… Sean Baker, could you do that?What it does show is a level of care and investment in Baker’s characters,and that the filmmaker is still thinking of them before and after their stories are told on screen.
While by definition this is an Easter Egg, it’s much more pure in its execution. It is not distracting or even noticeable if one is unfamiliar withRed Rocket, andit truly is a surprise because Baker and Company didn’t have to do it at all,showcasing that it was done purely out ofadoration for his work, cast, and characters.There was no expectation forAnorato link to his prior film, which makes it all the more exciting that it did.
Anora follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, igniting a potential fairy tale. Upon learning of the union, his influential parents travel to New York to annul the marriage, jeopardizing her unexpected chance at a new beginning.
Anorais playing in theaters now across the U.S.
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