Annette

The musical is itself a genre that divides audiences, and I think this film will divide its fans into two camps: either you'll be excited by this rock opera or you'll be perplexed by it. Personally, I am in the latter category. Annette is a poetic story about love, professional jealousy, the flip side of popularity, and also about fatherhood and forgiveness. Already in the first minute, I got the impression that this was going to be a very weird film. The music by the Mael brothers, aka The Sparks, was catchy and I don't have a single complaint in that regard, but at times I found the lyrics a bit repetitive, and "We love each other so much" was still ringing in my head a few days after the film. I certainly appreciate that the story itself is quite simple, but it is presented in a very unpredictable way. Most of the time I had no idea where the film was heading, which meant I was in for a lot of surprises. For example, a newborn puppet child who clearly inherited Adam Driver's ears. I can understand this decision from a creative point of view, because metaphorically Annette does become a puppet of her parents who use her for their own purposes, but I found it very distracting, even comical. But maybe that's what made the final scene with "Pinocchio's transformation" all the more impressive and emotional. Marion Cotillard was a bit bland alongside her fellow actors this time. Adam Driver gives another riveting performance, and his friend Simon Helberg, the conductor, charmed me with his performance; I would have liked more space for him, because dramatic roles suit him, and I hope to see him more often in them. So what is the source of the perplexed feeling about this film? The singing of Marillon and Adam did not please my ears and their daughter Annette reminded me more of a Chucky doll. Finally, the fact that this film is such a dreamy mix of genres full of surprises that feels a bit cluttered, but at the same time paradoxically very ordinary, which can be just a bit confusing in the end. (03/10/2023)

This was my first encounter with this director, and I have to say, Annette is a wild ride. It's not filled with grotesque or over-the-top nastiness like some other weird films, but it’s still totally insane. Adam Driver and Simon Helberg give performances that are completely indulgent, while Marion Cotillard just coasts along, remaining as captivating as ever. The plot is simple and straightforward, but the theatrical delivery of the lines doesn’t make it easy for the audience. The visuals are striking, and the musical interludes, though repetitive, add an interesting layer. The recurring lyrical themes act like refrains, which was the least of my issues compared to the overall very peculiar execution. (08/29/2023)

The unusual musical Annette, adapted from the stage production, is a brilliantly crafted tragic romance, both cinematically and musically, and it also works well as a sharp critique of the artificial world of show business, which leaves no room for true love. It is certainly not a movie that will appeal to the masses, but it will certainly find an audience. Fans of the band Sparks and of Adam Driver, who is here in top acting form, will be over the moon (75%) (03/24/2023)

The first half is absolutely stunning and captivating; it loses a bit of momentum in the middle, but the final act is brilliant once again. We haven't seen a musical this unique in a long time, featuring a meticulously crafted visual style and an electrifying performance by Adam Driver. For many, it might be too unconventional and exhausting, but it's not as intensely arty as some might fear. It was a bit of a gamble for me, but I'm thrilled that Annette was my return to the cinema after nearly a 10-month hiatus. (07/07/2021)

This is a film that tries to kill a man to save him. Nobody can rip a man's eyes out of his head and turn them inside out like Carax. You stare into the abyss and it stares into you. For me, it is a surprisingly intimate film about pain, self-deception and fatherhood, about the illusions in which we lose ourselves, and also about the fact that film as the ultimate illusion can sometimes tear off all masks. Rationality is overrated, imagination will save the world. Or at least give it a decent funeral. (08/03/2021)