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Annette (film)

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Annette
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLeos Carax
Story by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCaroline Champetier
Edited byNelly Quettier
Music by
  • Sparks
  • Lyrics:
  • Ron Mael
  • Russell Mael
  • Leos Carax
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 6 July 2021 (2021-07-06) (Cannes)
  • 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07) (France)[4]
  • 20 August 2021 (2021-08-20) (United States)
  • 26 November 2021 (2021-11-26) (Mexico)
  • 16 December 2021 (2021-12-16) (Germany)
Running time
140 minutes
Countries
  • France
  • Germany
  • Belgium
  • United States
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Switzerland[5]
LanguageEnglish[5]
Budget$15.5 million[6]
Box office$3.1 million[7]

Annette is a 2021 musical romantic drama film directed by Leos Carax in his English-language directorial debut. The film's story and music were written by Ron Mael, Russell Mael, with lyrics co-written by Carax. The film, which has been described as a rock opera, follows a stand-up comedian (Adam Driver) and his opera singer wife (Marion Cotillard), and how their lives are changed when they have their first child. Simon Helberg and Devyn McDowell also appear.

An international co-production between France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, Mexico and Japan, Annette was premiered on 6 July 2021 as the opening film at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival,[8] where Carax received the Best Director award. It was released in France the next day by UGC Distribution and in the United States on 20 August by Amazon Studios. The film received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

[edit]

After a swift courtship, provocative stand-up comedian Henry McHenry publicly declares his engagement to world-famous soprano Ann Desfranoux. Shortly afterward, Ann gives birth to their daughter Annette, portrayed by a wooden marionette puppet. The marriage becomes rocky when Henry begins to take care of Annette while Ann's career flourishes and takes her overseas.

Later, Ann has dreams about six women who come forward with allegations of past abuse at the hands of Henry and nightmares about Henry almost killing her. Back home, Henry's career begins to spiral, exacerbated by an onstage meltdown, and he comes to resent Ann's continued success. The two schedule a private cruise with the goal of mending their relationship. However, the cruise ends in disaster when Ann falls overboard during a stormy night after Henry drunkenly forces her to waltz with him. After realizing that his wife is dead, Henry and Annette get to an island using a lifeboat. There, both fall asleep, when Ann's ghost suddenly appears and gives her voice to infant Annette as a form of revenge, so she can haunt Henry.

Though cleared of legal suspicion for Ann's death, Henry finds himself at a financial dead-end without her income. He contacts Ann's former accompanist, revealing Annette's singing voice and suggesting they use her gift for a musical act. The accompanist reluctantly agrees, having been in love with Ann, and as they tour, Baby Annette becomes a worldwide hit. Henry continues to drink heavily and stay out late, haunted by memories of Ann. One night, when returning home, Henry overhears Annette singing a rendition of “We Love Each Other So Much”, which was Ann and Henry's song. He confronts the accompanist, who implies that he is Annette's real father. In retaliation, Henry drowns him in the backyard pool, witnessed by Annette from her bedroom window. Henry plans one final performance at the "Hyperbowl" halftime show, but Annette refuses to sing, instead declaring, "Daddy kills people," to the packed stadium. Henry is tried and convicted.

A few years later, Annette visits her father in prison. Annette, suddenly portrayed by a living human girl, denies his attempts at reconciliation and even blames her mother for using her to get revenge. She tells him that he now has "nothing to love". After the living Annette leaves, the Annette puppet lies lifeless on the floor.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

It was announced in November 2016 that Carax was set to make his first English language film, with Adam Driver, Rooney Mara and Rihanna in talks to star in the film. Filming was scheduled to begin in spring 2017.[6] In March 2017, Amazon Studios acquired the film, but Mara and Rihanna were not involved in the project.[9] In May, Michelle Williams was cast to replace Mara, with filming then due to begin in July.[10] Production on the film stalled, with the screenwriters Ron and Russell Mael attributing the delay to Driver's commitments to Star Wars. Filming was moved to begin in summer 2019.[11]

Development resumed on the project in May 2019, with Marion Cotillard now cast to replace Williams.[12][13] In October 2019, Simon Helberg joined the cast.[14]

Filming began in August 2019, with shooting taking place in Los Angeles, Brussels and Bruges[15] and at locations in Germany including Münster, Cologne and Bonn.[16] Production concluded in November 2019.[17] In January 2020, it was announced that the Belgian singer Angèle was cast in an undisclosed role.[18]

Music

[edit]
Main article: Annette (soundtracks)

The first song from the score and soundtrack, "So May We Start", was released as a single on 28 May 2021.[19]

The film's stars, while not trained, do most of their own singing.[20] Cotillard has sung in previous film roles and has had a musical career outside film, and Driver has sung in previous film roles as well.[21][22]

A second single, "We Love Each Other So Much", was released via streaming on 25 June 2021. The soundtrack Annette (Cannes Edition - Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released on CD and vinyl on MasterWorks / Milan label by Sony Music: it contains 15 tracks.[23] The Unlimited Edition: The Original Movie Soundtrack was released digitally and as a double CD shortly after and contains virtually all of the music from the movie as well as demos.[24]

Release

[edit]

Annette debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on 6 July 2021.[25] and was released in France the same day by UGC Distribution.[26]

The film was given a limited North American theatrical release on 6 August 2021 before digital streaming on Amazon Prime Video on 20 August 2021.[27]

In June 2021, the film's UK and Ireland distribution rights were acquired by the streaming service MUBI.[28] It was also selected in the 'Gala Presentation' section of 26th Busan International Film Festival.[29]

Reception

[edit]

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 71% based on 270 reviews, and an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Annette's experimental approach to its emotional extremes marks an ambitious, if not peculiar, return for director Leos Carax."[30] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 51 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31] Annette was a NYT Critics' Pick; reviewer A. O. Scott described it as a "highly cerebral, formally complex film about unbridled emotion" that "masters its own paradoxes. [...] A work of art propelled by a skepticism about where art comes from and why we value it the way we do. A fantastical film that attacks some of our culture’s most cherished fantasies. Utterly unreal and completely truthful."[32]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival 17 July 2021 Best Director Leos Carax Won [33]
[34]
Palme d'Or Annette Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle 21 December 2021 Best Picture Annette Runner-up [35]
[36]
Best Director Leos Carax Runner-up
Best Actor Adam Driver Won
Best Original Screenplay Leos Carax, Ron Mael and Russell Mael Runner-up
Best Art Direction/Production Design Annette Nominated
Best Visual Effects Annette Runner-up
Best Score Ron Mael and Russell Mael Nominated
Golden Globe Awards January 9, 2022 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Marion Cotillard Nominated [37]
Lumières Award January 17, 2022 Best Film Charles Gillibert, Paul-Dominique Win Vacharasinthu, Adam Driver, and Leos Carax Nominated [38]
Best Director Leos Carax Won
Best Cinematography Caroline Champetier Won
Best Music Ron Mael and Russell Mael Won
César Awards February 25, 2022 Best Film Charles Gillibert, Paul-Dominique Win Vacharasinthu, and Leos Carax Nominated [39]
Best Director Leos Carax Won
Best Actor Adam Driver Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Leos Carax, Ron Mael, and Russell Mael Nominated
Best Cinematography Caroline Champetier Nominated
Best Editing Nelly Quettier Won
Best Sound Erwan Kerzanet, Katia Boutin, Maxence Dussère, Paul Heymans, and Thomas Gauder Won
Best Original Music Ron Mael and Russell Mael Won
Best Costume Design Pascaline Chavanne Nominated
Best Production Design Florian Sanson Nominated
Best Visual Effects Guillaume Pondard Won
Gaudí Awards March 6, 2022 Best European Film Annette Nominated [40]

"So May We Start" was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song,[41] but not nominated.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "ユーロスペース".
  2. ^ "Annette @ September Film". 20 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Annette @ September Film". 20 October 2021.
  4. ^ ""Annette" by Leos Carax (2020)". UniFrance. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Debruge, Peter (6 July 2021). "'Annette' Review: Adam Driver Slow-Motion Implodes in Leos Carax's Tragic Pop Opera". Variety. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa (3 November 2016). "Adam Driver and Rooney Mara in Talks for Music Drama From 'Holy Motors' Director". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Annette (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Annette - Bande-annonce officielle - UGC Distribution". YouTube. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  9. ^ Lang, Brent; Keslassy, Elsa; Setoodeh, Ramin (14 March 2017). "Amazon Buys 'Annette' Starring Adam Driver (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  10. ^ Raup, Jordan (31 May 2017). "Michelle Williams Replaces Rooney Mara in Leos Carax's 'Annette'". The Film Stage. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  11. ^ Raup, Jordan (23 May 2018). "'Star Wars' is to Blame for the Delay of Leos Carax's Next Film". The Film Stage. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  12. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (15 May 2019). "Adam Driver-Starrer 'Annette' Revived, With Leos Carax Directing (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  13. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (15 May 2019). "Marion Cotillard Joins Leos Carax's Musical 'Annette'". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  14. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (9 October 2019). "Simon Helberg Joins Adam Driver & Marion Cotillard In Leos Carax's Amazon Musical 'Annette'; France Deal Inked As Cameras Roll". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  15. ^ Franklin, Garth (2 August 2019). "Leos Carax's All-Singing "Annette" Begins Filming". Dark Horizons. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  16. ^ Mühlens, Maximilian. "Hollywood-Dreharbeiten in Bonn: Oscar-Preisträgerin Marion Cotillard dreht an der Museumsmeile". Bonner Generalanzeiger (in German). Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  17. ^ Sparks (22 November 2019). "Russell and Ron with #Annette cast member @simonhelberg". Twitter. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  18. ^ ""Annette" : Angèle sera au casting du prochain film de Leos Carax". Charts in France (in French). 29 January 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  19. ^ Bloom, Madison (28 May 2021). "Listen to Sparks' New Song With Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Sparks fly as musical film 'Annette' geeks out Cannes". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  21. ^ Shepherd, Fiona (2021). "Album reviews". The Scotsman.
  22. ^ Webb, Beth (3 September 2021). "Annette review". NME.
  23. ^ Annette (Cannes Edition – Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (liner notes). Sparks and Leos Carax. Sony Music Entertainment. 19439881912.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ "Sparks: Filmmusik: Annette (O.S.T.) (Unlimited Edition)" (in German). jpc. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  25. ^ Grater, Tom (19 April 2021). "Leos Carax's 'Annette' Starring Marion Cotillard & Adam Driver To Open Cannes Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Annette". UGC Distribution. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
    - "Big movies are back. Here are 12 summer releases we can't wait to see". The Los Angeles Times. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  27. ^ Sharf, Zack (28 May 2021). "'Annette' First Listen: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard Pop Song Welcomes You to Leos Carax's Musical". IndieWire. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  28. ^ Rosser, Michael (10 June 2021). "Leos Carax's Cannes opening film 'Annette' acquired for UK-Ireland". Screen International. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  29. ^ "2021 Program". BIFF. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Annette (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Annette Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  32. ^ Scott, A. O. (5 August 2021). "'Annette' Review: Love Hurts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  33. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2021". Cannes Film Festival. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  34. ^ "'Titane' Wins Palme d'Or, Plus Full Cannes Winners List". IndieWire. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  35. ^ "2021 FFCC NOMINATIONS". Florida Film Critics Circle. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  36. ^ "FLORIDA FILM CRITICS CIRCLE ANNOUNCES 2021 WINNERS". Florida Film Critics Circle. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  37. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (13 December 2021). "2022 Golden Globe Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza,' 'Squid Game,' 'West Side Story,' and More". IndieWire. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  38. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (10 December 2021). "'Lost Illusions', 'Happening' lead the nominations for France's Lumière awards". Screen Daily. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  39. ^ Szalai, Georg; Roxborough, Scott (26 January 2022). "Lea Seydoux, Adam Driver Among Nominees for France's Cesar Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  40. ^ ""Las leyes de la frontera", la més nominada en uns Premis Gaudí molt disputats". 3/24. Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals. 25 January 2022.
    - "Gaudí Awards (2022)". IMDb. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  41. ^ "94th OSCARS SHORTLISTS". 20 December 2021.
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