Annette Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A comedian and his opera-singing wife have a puppet baby who can sing, and then everything goes downhill in a very artsy way.

🍿 Annette: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: A Glamorous Couple

Henry McHenry, a controversial stand-up comedian known as ‘The Ape of God,’ and Ann Desfranoux, a celebrated opera singer, form a captivating couple in Los Angeles. Their relationship is fast-paced; soon they are married and expecting a child. However, beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect romance, tensions begin to brew as they grapple with their individual careers and differing personalities.

The Birth of Annette and a Descent into Darkness

Ann and Henry’s lives take an unexpected turn with the birth of their daughter, Annette, who appears as a wooden marionette puppet. Henry struggles to adapt to fatherhood, and his career takes a downward spiral while Ann’s star continues to rise. Dreams and premonitions foreshadow dark events, and the couple’s relationship begins to crumble under the weight of jealousy and resentment.

Tragedy and a Miraculous Gift

While on a yacht trip, a violent storm erupts, leading to Ann’s apparent death. Henry is left to care for Annette, who possesses an extraordinary gift: she can sing beautiful arias. This gift, however, is bittersweet, as the ghost of Ann vows to haunt Henry through their daughter’s voice. Henry starts exploiting Annette’s gift, taking her on a world tour.

Exploitation and Revelation

Annette’s singing sensation sweeps the globe, but Henry’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic. The Conductor, Ann’s former accompanist with lingering feelings for her, grows concerned. He suspects Henry of foul play in Ann’s death. Henry murders the Conductor in a fit of rage after he suggests he could be Annette’s father. Eventually, Annette reveals the truth: ‘Daddy kills people’ during a televised performance at the Hyper Bowl, leading to Henry’s arrest.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry McHenry (Adam Driver): A controversial stand-up comedian struggling with his wife’s success and his own inner demons, leading to destructive actions.
• Ann Defrasnoux (Marion Cotillard): A world-renowned opera singer whose successful career contrasts with her husband’s, ultimately leading to tragedy.
• Annette (Devyn McDowell): The gifted daughter of Henry and Ann, initially portrayed as a marionette, whose singing reveals dark truths.
• The Accompanist (Simon Helberg): Ann’s former accompanist and secret admirer who becomes involved in Annette’s life, leading to his demise.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Narrator: “Ladies and gentlemen, we now ask for your complete attention. If you want to sing, laugh, clap, cry, yawn, boo or fart, please, do it in your head, only in your head.” – The opening lines set the tone for the film’s unique and unconventional cinematic experience.
• Henry: “I’m The Ape of God.” – Henry’s stage persona encapsulates his provocative and confrontational style as a comedian.
• Ann and Henry: “We love each other so much.” – A recurring motif that highlights the initial passion and eventual irony in their relationship.
• Annette: “Daddy kills people.” – Annette’s revelation during a major performance exposes Henry’s crimes to the world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €16,562,200
• Domestic Gross: $413,252
• Worldwide Gross: $3,688,261

💥 Annette Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Annette’ is definitely not for everyone! I went in expecting a quirky musical, and I got… something else entirely. Adam Driver’s performance was captivating, but the puppet baby was… unsettling, to say the least. The ‘We Love Each Other So Much’ song is now stuck in my head, though. Overall, it was a wild ride that left me with more questions than answers.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard”
  • “Viewers who appreciate arthouse and experimental films”
  • “Lovers of musicals and rock operas”
  • “Those interested in stories exploring fame, jealousy, and the darker side of relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes including domestic violence and exploitation”
  • “Some disturbing scenes”
  • “Male rear nudity”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Leos Carax delivers a surreal and visually stunning rock opera, even if the narrative coherence occasionally falters. Adam Driver’s intense performance is a highlight.
• The Guardian: “A bold and provocative musical, ‘Annette’ explores the dark side of fame and obsession with striking visuals and a unique score by Sparks. It’s challenging but rewarding.
• Variety: “Visually stunning but narratively uneven, ‘Annette’ offers a unique cinematic experience. Adam Driver’s intense acting and the Sparks’ distinctive music elevate the film.

Audience Reactions

The music is repetitive and grating, which made it a very divisive movie: Some audiences loved the unique, avant-garde musical style and found it to be thought-provoking.

Some people thought the movie was an unwatchable ego-project.: Others, however, thought Adam Driver stole the show with his acting.

Overall Consensus: A divisive but unique film, ‘Annette’ has been both praised and criticized for its avant-garde musical style, dark themes, and unsettling imagery, but Adam Driver’s performance garnered widespread acclaim.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Director)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Annette was initially conceived as a rock opera by the band Sparks, before being adapted into a film by director Leos Carax.”
• “Marion Cotillard’s operatic vocals were dubbed by Catherine Trottmann, while Cotillard handled the other singing parts herself.”
• “The film features a blend of live singing and pre-recorded tracks, aiming for a raw and immediate feel.”
• “The puppet ‘Annette’ required multiple puppeteers to operate, creating a unique performance element that challenges traditional acting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Annette?

Annette is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription. You may also find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for theatrical showings, as it may have limited release engagements.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Annette, you might like these similar films:

• Holy Motors (2012): Directed by Leos Carax, it shares a similar avant-garde and surreal approach to storytelling.
• Phantom of the Paradise (1974): A rock opera film that also blends music, dark themes, and a critique of the entertainment industry.
• A Star is Born (2018): Explores the dynamic between two artists and how shifting fame impacts their relationship
• All That Jazz (1979): A semi-autobiographical musical film that delves into the dark side of fame and creative self-destruction.

🛒 Annette Related Products

• The Sparks Brothers (Blu-ray): A must-watch documentary providing context for the Sparks’ unique musical style that heavily influenced ‘Annette’.
• Annette: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl): A limited-edition vinyl record featuring the film’s distinctive songs by Sparks, Adam Driver, and Marion Cotillard. Perfect for audiophiles and movie enthusiasts.
• Adam Driver: 8×10 Movie Photo: A fan’s must have. A great piece for a collection or gift for a fan
• Marion Cotillard : 8×10 Movie Photo: A fan’s must have. A great piece for a collection or gift for a fan

🎧 Soundtrack

Annette features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “So May We Start” – performed by Sparks, Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, Simon Helberg
• “We Love Each Other So Much” – performed by Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard
• “True Love Always Finds a Way” – performed by Marion Cotillard
• “Annette, the Final Performance” – performed by Devyn McDowell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Full interview: “Nyad” stars Annette Bening and Jodie Foster on ego, cooking and risk-taking

Want to know what Annette Bening and Jodie Foster think about ego, cooking, and risk-taking? This full interview dives deep into these topics, offering a unique perspective on their roles in ‘Nyad’ and beyond. I found their comments on risk-taking especially insightful!

Annette Bening Met Her Husband While Working on a Movie Together | The Drew Barrymore Show

Annette Bening tells the story of how she met Warren Beatty, and it’s surprisingly sweet! Hearing her talk about it is really charming, and it gives you a peek into her personal life. You have to see it!

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