Annette (film)
{{Short description|2021 musical film by Leos Carax}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Annette
| image = Annette poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Leos Carax
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Charles Gillibert
- Paul-Dominique Win Vacharasinthu
- Adam Driver
}}
| screenplay =
| story = {{Plainlist|
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Adam Driver
- Marion Cotillard
- Simon Helberg
- Devyn McDowell
- Angèle
}}
| music = {{Plainlist|
- Sparks
- Lyrics:
- Ron Mael
- Russell Mael
- Leos Carax
}}
| cinematography = Caroline Champetier
| editing = Nelly Quettier
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
- CG Cinema International
- Tribus P Films International
- Arte France Cinéma
- Theo Films
- UGC
- Detailfilm
- Scope Pictures
- Wrong Men
- RTBF (Télévision Belge)
- Eurospace{{cite web | url=http://www.eurospace.co.jp/works/detail.php?w_id=000615 | title=ユーロスペース }}
- Piano
- Garidi Films
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
- UGC Distribution (France)
- September Film (Belgium){{cite web | url=https://septemberfilm.be/fr/films/1013-Annette | title=Annette @ September Film | date=20 October 2021 }}{{cite web | url=https://septemberfilm.be/nl/films/1012-Annette | title=Annette @ September Film | date=20 October 2021 }}
- Alamode Film (Germany)
- Filmcoopi Zürich (Switzerland)
- Amazon Studios (United States)
- MUBI (Mexico)
- Eurospace (Japan)
}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2021|7|6|Cannes|2021|7|7|France|ref2= {{Cite web|url=https://en.unifrance.org/movie/45716/annette|title="Annette" by Leos Carax (2020)|publisher=UniFrance|access-date=9 April 2021}}|2021|8|20|United States|2021|11|26|Mexico|2021|12|16|Germany}}
| runtime = 140 minutes
| country = {{Plainlist|
- France
- Germany
- Belgium
- United States
- Japan
- Mexico
- Switzerland{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/annette-review-leos-carax-1235011443/|title='Annette' Review: Adam Driver Slow-Motion Implodes in Leos Carax's Tragic Pop Opera|last=Debruge|first=Peter|date=6 July 2021|website=Variety|access-date=18 December 2021}}
}}
| gross = $3.7 million{{cite web|url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6217926/?ref_=bo_rl_ti |title=Annette (2021)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=11 November 2024}}
}}
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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=068aFF8fOIA|title=Annette - Bande-annonce officielle - UGC Distribution|website=YouTube|date=19 April 2021 |access-date=19 April 2021}} 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
After a swift courtship, provocative stand-up comedian Henry McHenry publicly declares his engagement to world-famous soprano Ann Desfranoux. Shortly afterwards, 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 of 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
- Adam Driver as Henry McHenry
- Marion Cotillard as Ann Defrasnoux
- Catherine Trottmann as Ann's singing soprano voice
- Simon Helberg as The Accompanist
- Devyn McDowell as Annette
- Hebe Griffiths as the singing voice of Annette's puppet form.
- Angèle, Kiko Mizuhara, Julia Bullock, Claron McFadden, Noémie Schellens and Natalie Mendoza as the Six Accuser Chorus
- Natalia Lafourcade as LAPD Police Officer
- Kanji Furutachi as Doctor
- Rila Fukushima, Eva Van Der Gucht and Laura Jansen as Nurses
- Rebecca Sjöwall as Connie O'Connor
- Nino Porzio as Sheriff Garoni
- Davide Jakubowski as Sheriff Humprey
- Wim Opbrouck as Baby Annette announcer
- Colin Lainchbury-Brown as Hyperbowl announcer
- Geoffrey Carey as Ape of God announcer
- Yasin Islek as Dubai Singer Faruq
- Russell Mael as Russell Mael/Jet pilot
- Ron Mael as Ron Mael/Jet pilot
- Leos Carax as Leos Carax
- Nastya Golubeva Carax as Nastya
- Rebecca Dyson-Smith and Graciela María as Photographers
Production
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.{{Cite web|title=Adam Driver and Rooney Mara in Talks for Music Drama From 'Holy Motors' Director|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/adam-driver-rooney-mara-annette-leos-carax-1201908918/|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=3 November 2016|website=Variety|access-date=20 May 2020}} In March 2017, Amazon Studios acquired the film, but Mara and Rihanna were not involved in the project.{{Cite web|title=Amazon Buys 'Annette' Starring Adam Driver (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/amazon-adam-driver-rihanna-rooney-mara-1202008857/|last1=Lang|first1=Brent|last2=Keslassy|first2=Elsa|last3=Setoodeh|first3=Ramin|date=14 March 2017|website=Variety|access-date=13 December 2021}} Carax originally envisioned Joaquin Phoenix for the role of Henry McHenry, he was scheduled to meet with Carax, but he was too shy.https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/leos-carax-adam-driver-annette-1234650197/ In May, Michelle Williams was cast to replace Mara, with filming then due to begin in July.{{Cite web|title=Michelle Williams Replaces Rooney Mara in Leos Carax's 'Annette'|url=https://thefilmstage.com/michelle-williams-replaces-rooney-mara-in-leos-caraxs-annette/|last=Raup|first=Jordan|date=31 May 2017|website=The Film Stage|access-date=20 May 2020}} 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.{{Cite web|title='Star Wars' is to Blame for the Delay of Leos Carax's Next Film|url=https://thefilmstage.com/stars-wars-is-to-blame-for-the-delay-of-leos-caraxs-next-film/|last=Raup|first=Jordan|date=23 May 2018|website=The Film Stage|access-date=20 May 2020}}
Development resumed on the project in May 2019, with Marion Cotillard now cast to replace Williams.{{Cite web|title=Adam Driver-Starrer 'Annette' Revived, With Leos Carax Directing (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/global/adam-driver-star-annette-leos-carax-cannes-1203214180/|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=15 May 2019|website=Variety|access-date=20 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Marion Cotillard Joins Leos Carax's Musical 'Annette'|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/global/marion-cotillard-leos-caraxs-annette-1203215774/|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=15 May 2019|website=Variety|access-date=20 May 2020}} In October 2019, Simon Helberg joined the cast.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/simon-helberg-adam-driver-marion-cotillard-amazon-annette-1202755240/|title=Simon Helberg Joins Adam Driver & Marion Cotillard In Leos Carax's Amazon Musical 'Annette'; France Deal Inked As Cameras Roll|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=9 October 2019|access-date=9 October 2019}}
Filming began in August 2019, with shooting taking place in Los Angeles, Brussels and Bruges{{Cite web|title=Leos Carax's All-Singing "Annette" Begins Filming|url=https://www.darkhorizons.com/leos-caraxs-all-singing-annette-begins-filming/|last=Franklin|first=Garth|date=2 August 2019|website=Dark Horizons|access-date=20 May 2020}} and at locations in Germany including Münster, Cologne and Bonn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.general-anzeiger-bonn.de/bonn/stadt-bonn/oscar-preistraegerin-marion-cotillard-dreht-an-der-museumsmeile_aid-47069691|title=Hollywood-Dreharbeiten in Bonn: Oscar-Preisträgerin Marion Cotillard dreht an der Museumsmeile|last=Mühlens|first=Maximilian|website=Bonner Generalanzeiger|language=de|access-date=9 November 2019}} Production concluded in November 2019.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sparksofficial/status/1197913766861529089|title=Russell and Ron with #Annette cast member @simonhelberg |website=Twitter|author=Sparks|date=22 November 2019|access-date=22 November 2019}} In January 2020, it was announced that the Belgian singer Angèle was cast in an undisclosed role.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Angele/news-112692.html|title="Annette" : Angèle sera au casting du prochain film de Leos Carax|date=29 January 2020|website=Charts in France|language=fr|access-date=22 March 2021}}
Music
{{Main|Annette (soundtracks)}}
The first song from the score and soundtrack, "So May We Start", was released as a single on 28 May 2021.{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|title=Listen to Sparks' New Song With Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-sparks-new-song-with-adam-driver-and-marion-cotillard/|access-date=28 May 2021|website=Pitchfork|date=28 May 2021}}
The film's stars, while not trained, do most of their own singing.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210706-sparks-fly-as-musical-film-annette-geeks-out-cannes |title=Sparks fly as musical film 'Annette' geeks out Cannes|website=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 }} 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.{{cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Fiona |date=2021 |title=Album reviews |url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/album-reviews-sparks-wanda-jackson-suzie-ungerleider-paper-birch-3337511 |work=The Scotsman}}{{cite web |last=Webb |first=Beth |date=3 September 2021 |title=Annette review |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/annette-review-adam-driver-3036925 |work=NME}}
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.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Annette (Cannes Edition – Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) |others=Sparks and Leos Carax |type=liner notes |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |id=19439881912}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Sparks: Filmmusik: Annette (O.S.T.) (Unlimited Edition) |url=https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/ost-annette/hnum/10711629 |access-date=23 October 2021 |publisher=jpc |language=de}}
Release
Annette debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on 6 July 2021.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/annette-marion-cotillard-adam-driver-open-cannes-film-festival-1234739250/|title=Leos Carax's 'Annette' Starring Marion Cotillard & Adam Driver To Open Cannes Film Festival|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Tom|last=Grater|date=19 April 2021|access-date=19 May 2021}} and was released in France the same day by UGC Distribution.{{cite web|url=https://ugcdistribution.fr/film/annette/|title=Annette|publisher=UGC Distribution|access-date=19 May 2021}}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-05-19/summer-movies-must-see-preview|title=Big movies are back. Here are 12 summer releases we can't wait to see|website=The Los Angeles Times|date=19 May 2021|access-date=13 December 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/05/annette-adam-driver-marion-cotillard-sing-musical-number-1234640734/|title='Annette' First Listen: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard Pop Song Welcomes You to Leos Carax's Musical|website=IndieWire|first=Zack|last=Sharf|date=28 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021}}
In June 2021, the film's UK and Ireland distribution rights were acquired by the streaming service MUBI.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/leos-caraxs-cannes-opening-film-annette-acquired-for-uk-ireland/5160416.article|title=Leos Carax's Cannes opening film 'Annette' acquired for UK-Ireland|last=Rosser|first=Michael|work=Screen International|date=10 June 2021|access-date=14 June 2021}} It was also selected in the 'Gala Presentation' section of 26th Busan International Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/addon/10000001/page.asp?page_num=3345|title=2021 Program |publisher=BIFF|date=15 September 2021|access-date=15 September 2021}}
Reception
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."{{cite web|title= Annette (2021) |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/annette|website= Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=24 December 2021}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 51 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|title=Annette Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/annette|website= Metacritic |access-date=6 September 2021}} 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."{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=2021-08-05 |title='Annette' Review: Love Hurts |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/movies/annette-review.html |access-date=2023-09-10 |issn=0362-4331}}
=Accolades=
"So May We Start" was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song,{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/94th-oscars-shortlists|title = 94th OSCARS SHORTLISTS|date = 20 December 2021}} but not nominated.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|6217926}}
- [https://www.crew-united.com/en/projekte/displayProjectdata.asp?IDPD=228790 Annette (Feature Film)] on Crew United
- [https://www.amazonstudiosguilds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20211126-ANNETTE-script-def_EDIT.pdf Official film treatment/"screenplay"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206130833/https://www.amazonstudiosguilds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20211126-ANNETTE-script-def_EDIT.pdf |date=6 December 2021 }}
{{Leos Carax}}
{{Sparks}}
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:2020s musical drama films
Category:French musical drama films
Category:Belgian musical drama films
Category:German musical drama films
Category:Sung-through musical films
Category:Films directed by Leos Carax
Category:Films about comedians
Category:Films set in Los Angeles
Category:Films shot in Los Angeles
Category:Films shot in Brussels
Category:Films shot in Cologne
Category:Films shot in North Rhine-Westphalia
Category:Films whose director won the Best Director César Award
Category:Films whose director won the Best Director Lumières Award
Category:French multilingual films
Category:Belgian multilingual films
Category:English-language Belgian films
Category:English-language French films
Category:English-language German films
Category:English-language Japanese films
Category:English-language Mexican films
Category:English-language Swiss films
Category:Amazon MGM Studios films
Category:Arte France Cinéma films