The end-of-year awards cycle leading up to the Academy Awards can often be a grueling stretch of time for film fans, as hearing about the same films over and over again can grow very frustrating. Although the Oscars have typically avoided more obtuse and challenging films in favor of traditional “awards bait,” the success ofPoor Thingssuggests that the Academy is finally opening itself up to more idiosyncratic projects.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ uproarious horror romance satire managed tomake upward of $100 million at the box office. It took home the trophies for Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, and Best Actress forEmma Stone. Although the filmuses its extravagant science fiction world setting to tell a universal story of self-discovery,Poor Thingsdrew inspiration from real figures in the life ofFrankensteinauthorMary Shelley.
Poor Things
The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
‘Poor Things’ Is Really a ‘Frankenstein’ Story
Based on the acclaimed novel of the same namebyAlasdair Gray,Poor Thingsis set within the high society of Victorian London. After becoming a student to the idiosyncratic scientist Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), the medical student Max McCandles (Ramy Youssef) discovers that the strange inventor has uncovered the body of a recently deceased woman that died by suicide upon jumping from a bridge. Godwin inserted the consciousness of an infant into the woman’s body, creating Bella Baxter (Stone).Poor Thingsanalyzes how an artificially created being can create consciousness,and theorizes on the ethical dilemma that Godwin faces. While he is responsible for Bella’s creation, he realizes that she has quickly become wise beyond her infantile mind.
Poor Thingsdraws fromFrankenstein’s story about the relationship between a creator and their creation; in a particularly funny recurring joke, Bella refers to Godwin as “God,” suggesting that he is the only creator she can identify. The warning about mankind’s desire to “play God” is a recurring theme throughoutmany adaptations ofFrankenstein, as the character of Victor learns the consequences of meddling with forces that he does not truly understand. However,Poor Thingsmanages to invert the structure of aFrankensteinstory because it focuses on Bella’s perspective; instead of casting aside her as a monster or victim, the film gives her agency as she begins to discover the wondrous world that surrounds her.
AlthoughBella’s journey ultimately becomes an empowering one,Poor ThingsreflectsFrankenstein’sthemes of mankind’s fear of the unknown.Bella’s inherent curiosity about the world and willingness to believe in the integrity of others leads her to be taken advantage of by some deceitful men, including the deceitful lawyer Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo). While Frankenstein’s monster usually pays the ultimate price for his curiosity in adaptations of Shelley’s original story,Poor Thingsinverts this formula by having Bella take ownership of her own life. After reuniting with Max, Bella manages to overpower the violent man Alfie (Christopher Abbot), who was married to the woman whose body she inhabits. After Godwin dies, Bella’s journey comes full circle when she fulfills his legacy by becoming a surgeon herself.
Who Was The Real Isabella Baxter?
Although there have been discussions aboutturning her life into the basis of a biopic,Shelley’s relationship with the actual Isabella Baxter has been obscured from many records of her life.In her youth,Shelley faced significant social pressuresand struggled to connect with others. After her father, William Godwin (who inspired Dafoe’s character inPoor Things), arranged for Shelley to stay with the family of the Scotsman Richard Baxter,she became close friends with his middle daughter, Isabella.The two remained close throughout their youth, allowing Shelley to begin a writing career that predated her breakthrough withFrankenstein.
Despite the intimate connection they shared with each other,Shelley and Baxter were separated as a result of the latter’s marriage. In 1814, Baxter was married to the incendiary writer David Booth; Booth was later excommunicated from the Glasite Church because he had been married to Baxter’s older sister, Margaret. As a result of the controversy, Booth did not allow Baxter to share any future conversations with Shelley. AlthoughBaxter’s story has been creatively adapted by some authors, it’s often absent when discussing the legacy ofFrankenstein.
‘Poor Things’ Celebrates Isabella Baxter With the Theme of Sexual Liberation
While her name itself may be an obscure one,Baxter’s name is used inPoor Thingsas a tribute to Shelley. By combining a fantasy version of Shelley’s secret lover with the themes of her most famous work of fiction,Poor Thingsgives an alternative, happy endingto the life of theFrankensteinauthor. AlthoughPoor Thingsis very satirical of class relations and the salacious nature of men, the scenes detailing Bella’s sexual desires are treated with sincerity and respect for the real Baxter.
In the weeks followingStone’s historic second Oscar win for Best Actress,Poor Thingssaw some controversy based on the manner in which the film characterizes Bella’s sexuality. While the film has no shortage of graphic content, Stone’s role in producing the film ensured that she retained agency over the way Bella’s intimacy was handled.Bella is entirely conscious of this aspect of herself and takes ownership of her decisions. The film also invokes some of its strongest humor when Bella’s self-confidence and charisma catches the men around her off guard; it’s rare to see a woman hold such power, particularly during this era of history.
Poor Things’success is evidence thatStone and Lanthimos have one of the best director-actors working relationships in the industry right now.Stone first appeared in Lanthimos’ outrageous historical satireThe Favourite, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The duo will collaborate once more onthe upcoming ensemble dramedyKinds of Kindness, which looks promising and co-starsJesse Plemons, Joe Alwyn, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau,andHunter Schafer.
Poor Thingsis streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
Watch on Hulu
