Review: Annette

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Stand up comedian Henry McHenry (Adam Driver) and opera singer Ann (Marion Cotillard) have a relationship that the tabloids love. Then they have a daughter together, the titular Annette and she has a very special gift.

This has been one of my most anticipated movies of the year and when the Cannes reactions came out, I realized I had to set my expectations a little. Everyone said this movie was crazy. I just hoped it was fun crazy and not pretentious crazy. So what did it end up being?

This is a true musical, very little is spoken, songs are made about the most mundane of things and some of the bigger ballads including child birth, Henry going down on Ann, and murder. That should tell you a lot about this movie. It's really *out there* and I love that about it. It's rare you see a film swing for fences like this and actually hit it out of the park. I loved it. I wanted good weird and that's what it provided.

This is most definitely Driver's movie and he's incredible. Henry is a shitty person, but he's never boring and you can tell this was a very fulfilling role for him. He gets to do just about everything. Cotillard however isn't in it nearly as much as I expected her to be, and that's one of the film's flaws. We needed to know more about Ann. The biggest surprise was the Conductor. (Simon Helberg) I remember his days from Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog so I know he's a talented musician but one of my favorite scenes in the movie was his sort of monologue. 

Another thing that elevates this film is the ending. It's so well done and makes it end on the highest possible note. From a technical standpoint, it's excellent. The cinematography is beautiful, the sets lush and the music is so catchy. I'm not sure how this movie will land with everyone, but I'm so happy it landed for me.

Annette can be seen now on Amazon Prime.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B+

Memorable Quote: "I wrote that song." - The Conductor (Simon Helberg)

Comments

  1. BirgitAugust 24, 2021 at 9:57 AM

    I would like to see this and, just writing a tidbit about Fred Astaire, I think he would be in shock about singing while going down on Ginger...good grief! I love musicals but I can’t imagine singing a song while that’s happening.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2021 at 6:35 AM

      LOL didn't his wife forbid him from kissing Ginger too? I think they only actually kissed on screen once. You need to see this.

      Delete
  2. Candice FrederickAugust 24, 2021 at 10:43 AM

    hmmm i mean, i really liked the story - but i hate how weird and pretentious it is!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2021 at 6:33 AM

      I loved the weirdness lol. I didn't think it felt too pretentious, I was expecting it to.

      Delete
  3. thevoid99August 24, 2021 at 4:27 PM

    I just watched 30 minutes of so far as I'm hoping to watch more for the rest of the week as this has been one of my most anticipated films for years as I've been a fan of Leos Carax for years and I'm happy that it's finally out and getting some attention as I hope Carax makes some money with this film since none of his films ever made money. I also hope the film raises more attention towards Sparks as they've been a recent discovery for me as they've been trying to make a film for many years going back to the 1970s in a project with Jacques Tati that never got funded as well as a project in the early 90s with Tim Burton that never happened due to Burton's busy schedule.

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    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2021 at 6:33 AM

      I hope you enjoy the rest of it! I'm not well versed in Carax's filmography but this makes me want to look into it more.

      Delete
    2. thevoid99August 25, 2021 at 4:40 PM

      I'd start with The Lovers on the Bridge and then Mauvais Sang and Holy Motors. Also watch his short segment in the film Tokyo! where a character from Holy Motors is based on as there's also a couple of great shorts from Michel Gondry and Bong Joon-Ho in that film.

      Delete
  4. RuthAugust 24, 2021 at 7:35 PM

    Ahhh! I'm glad you loved this too!! I couldn't wait to see this and glad I was able to see it on the big screen. I just loved that opening sequence! " It's really *out there* and I love that about it." Yes, totally! This is totally Adam Driver's movie and he owned it, the amount of physicality he did here is simply amazing. Glad it's on Amazon Prime so I can always rewatch it.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 25, 2021 at 6:32 AM

      Me too! Driver was outstanding, I'm so happy for him.

      Delete
  5. Often Off TopicAugust 26, 2021 at 5:46 AM

    I've seen this now too and...it was a lot. I don't know if I'll ever actually be able to put my thoughts into words! You can't deny Adam Driver's talent, I just wish he'd stop playing the asshole haha!

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  6. SaraAugust 28, 2021 at 1:41 PM

    I've heard this movie is one that you know within 10 minutes if it's for you or not. lol I really want to give it a go. I love Driver's singing voice.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 29, 2021 at 9:18 PM

      That's about right lol. I can appreciate that in a movie. I've shut a few off because of that.

      Delete
  7. keith71_98August 30, 2021 at 12:31 PM

    I wanted to love this but found myself cold to it. I really like certain pieces but not others. Really bummed seeing Cotillard handed such a thin role (as you allude to). She could have brought so much more weight to their relationship but.... Also I'm start to think Leos Carax just isn't my cup of tea.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamSeptember 1, 2021 at 6:24 AM

      Her lack of screentime was really surprising, but now it makes sense why everyone was only raving about Adam Driver.

      Delete

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