I don’t read any reviews before I see a film and have written the review. That statement is mostly true; I read the last paragraph of AO Scott’s Annette review, dying to know what my son and I were in for. Hence, how and why Adam Driver is staring at me, from the accompanying photo in the NY Times.
And may I say, Scott nailed it in the last paragraph, how brave and timely this rock opera truly is. Had the writers, the Spark Brothers thrown in one more subplot of rampant virus, they would have literally covered every topic in the world. Still, you’ll get your child exploitation, your envy, your Me, Too movement, your skewering of wealthy ennui.
You also get Charlie Kaufmanesque marionettes, groovy tunes, Twenty Feet from Stardom back up singers and the cancel culture. Bless you, bless you, bless you Sparks Brothers. I have not been this excited since Uncut Gems (perhaps the best movies are written by brothers? Here-Ron and Russell Mael? Safdies? Cohens’)?
I can’t say much about this plot without big giveaways. Let’s just say at it’s core, Annette is a relationship movie, a darker more dystopian Marriage Story with music. This will be the film I throw popcorn at my tv for, when the dunce masses don’t award it due to their defensive group think dullardness.
Adam Driver is staring at me: Annette
