307. Annette; movie review
Cert 15
141 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex
The weirdest combo in music - Ron and Russell Mael from Sparks - have finally fulfilled a decades-long ambition to create a movie.
No surprise, then, that it is totally off the wall.
In its defence, Annette, is like no other film I have ever seen and is so arresting that it demands audience attention.
However, I could not pretend that I fully understand it.
The initial premise is easy enough - beloved alternative comedian (Adam Driver) falls in love with popular opera singer (Marion Cotillard).
Their musical introductions are quite long-winded and they are obviously complex characters but my brain wasn't on high alert at this point.
However, after they are married and have a baby, things really do go way off-beam.
(SPOILER ALERT - the baby is literally as wooden as Pinocchio!).
Annette is directed by Leos Carax but it has the idiosyncratic style of the Mael brothers imprinted all over it.
The songs are dramatic and unconventional and the story is told in a theatrical style often veering off into the land of the plain weird.
However, Driver is a magnetic performer and Cotillard complements him so well that the film maintains engagement no matter how many odd avenues it follows.
And it also includes of the best scenes of the year - a duet between Driver and astonishing six-year-old Devyn McDowell.
It really is worth seeing for that alone.
Reasons to watch: The Sparks boys fulfilling an ambition
Reasons to avoid: Very very weird
Laughs: Two
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Did you know? Russell and Ron Mael met Jacques Tati several times in the 1970s with regard to a movie collaboration but it never came to fruition.
The final word. Ron Mael: "People that maybe are expecting a traditional Hollywood musical ending where everybody is out on the street dancing in the sun might be disappointed. But overcoming all the expectations of what a traditional movie musical is made us happy." Variety
0 Response to "307. Annette; movie review"
Posting Komentar