I can’t remember the last time I had a reaction this mixed to a movie trailer. “Annette” has pieces that should put it near the tip-top of my ‘Most Anticipated’ list. Marion Cotillard and Adam Driver are among my very favorites and the idea of them together on screen is enough to sell almost any movie. On the other hand, the film is directed by Leos Carax whose last film was 2012’s “Holy Motors”. That film received near universal acclaim, but aside from a killer accordion jam, I found it to be eccentric to a fault and incredibly challenging to sit through.
The first trailer for “Annette” highlights the diverse acting chops of Cotillard and Driver as well as the wildly unconventional style of Carax. It leads to some cool images and shots of the two leads really going for it. The big question is how will it all come together? There’s no way I can pass it up, but I’ll be going in with fingers firmly crossed and hoping for something that connects with me much more than “Holy Motors” did.
“Annette” is opening the 2021 Cannes Film Festival on July 6th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.
Keith & the Movies 
I will pass, but I totally see how it can all come together and work, and it certainly looks like it could be something interesting. The fact that it was chosen for the Cannes opening night is certainly encouraging. Adam Driver is very versatile, maybe too versatile of an actor and I often wonder whether his films will be just too “eclectic” for me.
For me the actors are the biggest draw. But this looks like it could go either way. Not really sure what to expect from it.
Is it horror genre? Suspense? Looks more than a little edgy. She seems too old for him, but it is a French film so age difference is no big deal. I never saw Holy Motors. Had seen previews of it but it didn’t look compelling enough to take the plunge. I will watch it but go in knowing I may have to stop before it’s over.
I wish I could tell you what it is. But I’m in the same boat. It’s hard to get a good read on it.
It definitely worked for me as I am a fan of Leos Carax having seen all of his feature films some years ago when I did my Auteurs piece on him. I kind of know what to expect from him but also remember that he will always go somewhere left field. He never plays by the rules and is always willing to go into some form of extreme in relation to his work in the 80s and 90s.
Exactly. And I do respect that. But I think that can be a double-edged sword. Then again, who am I to say? I think a lot more people liked it than felt like me.
I don’t know the directors other works. The trailer didn’t do it for me, a bit cartoony.
It’s kinda all over the place, right?
I’m excited for this. Adam Driver all day every day.
Driver and Cotillard are why I’m seeing it. Big fan of both. Fingers crossed that the material is good.