(8.19) Here is the cinematic bookend to “The Sparks Brothers” documentary, the tale of the unusual career of musicians Ron and Russell Mael, a.k.a. Sparks. In that charming film, reference is made to their latest project, a movie: “Annette” is that movie. And a strange looking beast it is (the Avon ran the trailer when screening the documentary). But A.O. Scott of the New York Times loves it:
“Annette” masters its own paradoxes. It’s a highly cerebral, formally complex film about unbridled emotion. 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.
Ron and Russell wrote the script and the music (and the music sounds very promising . . . very Sparks). Leos Carax (Holy Motors, Bad Blood) directs with the ubiquitous Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard in the leads. The plot resists summary.
Los Angeles, today. Henry (Adam Driver) is a stand-up comedian with a fierce sense of humor who falls in love with Ann (Marion Cotillard), a world-renowned opera singer.
Rated R. Running time: 2 hours, 19 minutes.
Annette, 3:15pm and 6:20pm, through August 19, Avon Cinema, 260 Thayer Street, (directions)