Mikey Madisonhas become a household name after aBest Actress Academy Award winforAnoraand she was one of many chosen byThe New York Timesto provide their picks for the best movies of the 21st century. Among Madison’s selections was afilm by Sean Baker, who directed her inAnora.
The picks made by the actors, producers, and others who were polled are a varied bunch. For Madison, she named classics likeAlmost FamousandMad Max: Fury Road,but also great international films likePortrait of a Lady on Fire. She made sure to pay homage to Baker, who worked with her to earn that Best Actress Oscar.
Mikey Madison and Sean Baker are actually an ideal pairing in Hollywood right now. She’s an actor on the rise with a lot of momentum and he’s a director with a great track record who just won several Oscars. They’re a perfect duo when it comes toNYT’s best movies of the 21st century list.
Mikey Madison Voted The Florida Project As One Of The Best 21st Century Movies
The Film Made The Top 100 List
Released in 2017,The Florida Projectsolidified Sean Baker as a director on the rise. He helmed good movies early in his career and really made people take notice with 2015’sTangerinebut two years later, he truly broke out. He’s known for making films about marginalized people, including sex workers.
The Florida Projectfocuses on a group of kids and their misadventures at a budget motel during the summer while the adults around them struggle. Brooklynn Prince delivers a phenomenal performance and carries the film alongside Willem Dafoe and Bria Vinaite, despite her young age. Ultimately, the film was met with widespread acclaim.
After being a hit at the Cannes Film Festival,The Florida Projectwas named on many year-end top 10 lists and received nominations at several major award shows. That made the film a popular one when it came to those polled forThe New York Times' list as Mikey Madison wasn’t the only person to name it.
Actor and director Bryce Dallas Howard, New York City Ballet choreographer Justin Peck, and Emmy winner/Ted Lassostar Brett Goldstein all namedThe Florida Project.That led to the movie finding a spot on the official list, placing 74th overall.
Sean Baker Directed Three Of The Best Movies From The 21st Century
Three Of His Four Most Recent Movies Are Modern Classics
As noted, Sean Baker really started to gain traction as a director to keep an eye on with 2015’sTangerine. Shot entirely on iPhones in impressive fashion,Tangerinetells the story of a transgender sex worker who discovers that her boyfriend (also her pimp) has been cheating on her and ended up being a critical darling.
Tangerinewas praised for Baker’s direction, the performances of the cast, and the depiction of transgender individuals. It’s an important movie within the LGBTQ+ community and nearly made theNYTlist as it was named by actor Justice Smith, Mikey Madison, and writer/director Gia Coppola. Of course, his follow-up,The Florida Project,actually made the list.
After those films, Baker helmedRed Rocket, which was well-received but not on the same level.However, 2024’sAnorawas Baker’s biggest hit from both a commercial and critical standpoint. It took homeBest Picture at the Oscarsalong with Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Director.
Regardless,Tangerine, Anora, andThe Florida Projectprove how special Baker is as a director.
Ultimately,Anorawas only named by three individuals (Naomie Harris, Dolly de Leon, and Tom Quinn) so it didn’t quite crack the list. However, given its major accolades, it’s the kind of movie that could find itself on a similar list in the future. Regardless,Tangerine, Anora, andThe Florida Projectprove how special Baker is as a director.
