Writer/director Luc Besson's "Anna" is a disguised, fetish film, as are his other productions, "Nikita" and "Angel-A". "Anna" is also in tune with David Leitch's "Atomic Blonde" (see Aug '17): another movie for the Eric Stanton crowd. If one isn't part of that niche, "Anna" won't be of much interest, let alone make much sense.
The story (fashioned by Besson, with help from Martha and Guy Holmes) features our titular heroine in spy intrigue: a long-legged lass played by Sasha Luss, who works for former Soviet insiders during the early '90s, in an attempt to kill a KGB's honcho (Eric Gordon), while mingling with the CIA. Her supermodel looks prove deceptive, getting her into places and close to men one wouldn't be able to otherwise: a veritable Mata Hari with plenty of Emma Peel to spare.
Through her maneuvering between the sides, she meets characters played by action-flick veterans Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren (resembling Edna Mode), Luke Evans and Alexander Petrov. They manipulate and teach her to administer focused anger and stealthy slays, as she hopes to gain what she desires most: freedom (i.e., an under-the-radar life).
The plot has a catch, though it's easy to unravel, even with all the Tarantino scene-shifting injections. "Anna" is more a contentious travelogue, with the necessary scenery to ogle (more interiors than exteriors), but as striking as the decor is, it's mere dressing. Anna dominates all and in more ways than one.
That a gorgeous gal like Anna can kick ass--that she can beat the toughest guys into submission with her physical attributes--is the titillating novelty. Anna is a praying mantis...a goddess to be worshiped, if one were so inclined to make that choice.
As most of my friends know, I dig this bizarre, old-time sub-genre. Though "Anna" isn't relegated to the time period when Stanton's work reined the underground scene (mainly the '50s/'60s), the film captures the artist's splendor to the sadistic tee.
That "Anna" made it to the big screen in this sexually subdued age is surprising. Because of its unique nature, it won't be a box-office sensation, and the critics are sure to hate it. That makes it all the better in my book. Can't wait to view it again...
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