"Annette" Review - From the Vaults

 "Annette"

When asshole comedian Henry McHenry (Adam Driver) begins a whirlwind romance with beloved French opera diva Ann Defrasnoux (Marion Cotillard), they soon birth a daughter named Annette. Over the course of their relationship, we embark upon an odyssey of control, abuse, talent, celebrity, misogyny and the trappings of wealth and fame...

Remember when I said that "Space Jam 2" made me reconsider my views on art and the medium of cinema?

This regrew my faith in it.

This is a rock opera by Sparks. 

That sentence will immediately make you decide whether or not you want to watch this movie, and whether or not you will enjoy this. 

Sparks fucking rule. I'm torn between "Big Beat", "Hippopotamus" and "Indiscreet" for which album is best. But that's the beauty of Sparks: every fan is correct!

The music, as expected, is fucking genius, opening on the truly breathtaking "So May We Start"and never letting up from there. It's a truly quirky, delightful soundtrack throughout. Cotillard, as expected, is phenomenal, and whilst Driver is a lot less impressive initially, it fits his character as a man whose estimations and arrogance and cruelty override his talent; something the actor is clearly aware of. This is one his nastiest, cruellest performances in ages, and after that fucking dire piece of shit "The Rise of Skywalker" it is good to see him not only being allowed to act, but being allowed to play an actual villain.

His controlling, domineering, vile presence and stage persona as a comedian makes this a far superior "Joker", especially with the film's central gimmick of having Annette played by a wooden puppet, reflecting his control over women he so casually, cruelly enjoys

It's a surreal, 4th-wall shattering movie about control, fame and love and how it destroys and is inaccessible to the truly evil. But it is not for everyone:

Despite some gorgeous (genuinely AMAZING) shots and scenes and a never-ending gourmet of music, it's not for everyone. It's surreal, goes on for too long (you can trim part of the first act and a fair bit of the third. My fiancee recommended an EXCELLENT part where it can end, despite a truly lovely ending with a great child actor) and I can definitely see why this is not widely marketed: but this is a story which wanted to be told, a passion project of love, romance, music and beautiful imagery.

Also, side note, I appreciate that Simon Helberg (under-utilised here, but excellent, much like in "Florence Foster Jenkins") and, to a greater extent Adam Driver, are embracing weirder projects and throwing off their mainstream parts, overshadowing their bigger co-stars in those projects.