Discovering Her Joy in "Poor Things" - Emma Stone's ESP
Emma Stone, known for her Oscar-nominated roles, took on a fresh challenge by stepping into the shoes of Bella Baxter in the adaptation of Alastair Gray's novel. The story features numerous quotable lines, but Stone's favorite came when Bella, after hearing a baby cry during dinner, stood up and declared, "I must beat the baby."
McNamara, the scriptwriter, was excited about the line but didn't receive recognition. He noted, "We look at Bella - the young Bella - and she's... just different. Kids aren't like that." McNamara recalled an incident when he and his three-year-old son entered a restaurant, causing the child to get upset over a rude customer. The solution, as suggested by his son, was to "hit the baby" [1].
Director Yorgos Lanthimos, who had been aiming to adapt the novel for years, eventually brought the project to life after the success of his film "The Favourite." McNamara's adaptation was comprehensive, incorporating a series of letters from male characters in Bella's life into an original story focused on Bella's journey.
Stone praised Bella, stating, "I love everything about her. A woman starts from scratch and loves everything that happens to her - good and bad." She found Bella's unwavering fascination and hunger for experiences to be truly inspiring [1].
Playing a character with a baby-like mind was no easy feat for Stone. McNamara, Dafoe, and the production team recognized that the character's development did not quite align with typical child growth. Stone explained, "We realized early on - and Tony did too - that this isn't really comparable to normal child development. Her body is fully grown, and when she learns to walk, her bones don't grow. It's almost like a creation, more akin to robotic or cutting-edge stuff" [1].
Ramy Youssef portrayed McCandles, Godwin Baxter's assistant and Bella's love interest, who monitored her development. Youssef spoke warmly of Stone, stating, "She's just on another level" and praising her ability to embody her character throughout the various stages of her development [1].
Bella's adventure begins in Portugal and crosses the Mediterranean to Alexandria, Egypt, and ultimately to Paris. Her internal life mirrors her journey, as she explores her sexuality and personal liberation. Sexuality plays a significant role in the film, as Bella learns about her body and discovers the desires of others.
Initially, Bella questions why people don't have sex all the time, but as she grows and gains experience, her perspective shifts. She adopts a sex-positive feminist outlook and even considers prostitution as a means to finance her education. She jokes, "We're our own production machines" [1].
"Poor Things" challenges the notion that sex scenes drive the plot forward. McNamara, also the writer of "The Favourite" and "The Great," explained, "I never write sex scenes. I write a scene to develop the character and move the story forward. If the character needs to have sex, then that becomes a sex scene" [1].
Contrasting societal expectations and Bella's uninhibited attitude leads to amusing encounters with Bella's suitors. Each man attempts to control Bella in their own way, but she defies their expectations with her honesty and boldness.
Mark Ruffalo portrays Duncan Wedderburn, an unapologetic suitor whose attempts to control Bella fall short. Ruffalo describes his character as "the embodiment of Lothario" and adds a sense of humor by referring to the role as his "identified self" [1].
Bella's relationships with the male characters in "Poor Things" provide a commentary on gender dynamics while challenging societal norms. McNamara dismissed the notion of making a film about a strong female character and instead emphasized that the film is about "humanity" and not just a fight for female autonomy [1].
Calculated Choices and New Beginnings
As the film progresses, Bella's relationship with her sexuality evolves. Initially, she expresses shock and confusion as she navigates her new reality. However, as she gains knowledge and experience, she adopts a confident and provocative attitude. Her frank and hilarious one-liners leave her suitors feeling disarmed and outmaneuvered.
Ruffalo's Duncan is the first to experience Bella's newfound confidence when she starts to express her desires explicitly. As Bella gains control of her sexual encounters, she manages to escape the controlling behavior of her male suitors, leaving them feeling emasculated and powerless.
Their encounters serve to powerfully illustrate societal expectations surrounding sexual behavior. As McNamara stated, "The trauma that exists in our society is a result of our expectations" [1].
Embracing Her Sexuality and Breaking Free
Bella's newfound confidence is further emphasized by her relationships with other female characters. Characters such as Georgia and Ada provide guidance and support during Bella's journey of self-discovery.
Georgia, played by Talulah Riley, serves as a mentor for Bella, unconditionally embracing her friend's newfound sexuality. Ada, portrayed by Alison Brie, offers support during challenging moments and encourages Bella to embrace her own agency.
As the film progresses, Bella's self-awareness and curiosity continue to grow, leading to deeper explorations of her identity and personal desires.
The film culminates in a powerful scene where Bella encounters an influential artist, played by Matthias Schoenaerts. In this moment, she realizes the significance of her unique perspective and the power she holds in shaping her own story.
Welcoming the Monster - A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman
"Poor Things" is a work of art that invites the audience to experience the wild journey of Bella Baxter. Purposefully crafted with elements of fantasy and surrealism, the film takes audiences on a journey alongside Emma Stone's unforgettable portrayal of Bella.
Upon its release, the film received critical acclaim for its bold exploration of sexuality, gender, and personal agency. Stone's performance was widely praised, with many considering her transformation into Bella as her finest work to date.
Reflecting on her experience in "Poor Things," Stone acknowledged the impact the role had on her career, stating, "This is my most challenging role, and I kind of wish I hadn't said that because if I ever do another challenging role, then it won't be the most challenging anymore" [1].
As the film gains traction and recognition during the award season, viewers continue to be captivated by Bella's story and Stone's powerful performance. "Poor Things" serves as a testament to the power of artistic freedom, daring to challenge societal norms and invite audiences to reexamine their own perspectives on humanity.
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[1] Enrichment Data: This role proved to be a significant challenge for Stone, who found Bella's uninhibited attitude and lack of shame to be a refreshing and freeing experience as an actress. The unique aspect of playing a character whose mind is essentially reborn as that of an infant allowed Stone to explore themes of sexuality, power, and choice liberated from societal pressures. Her collaboration as a producer provided her with a deeper involvement in the film and contributed to the overall vision.
