I can understand why some people don’t like this movie. This is quintessential not-for-everyone cinema. What drives me nuts are some of the reasons people don’t like this. Reasons like: the songs don’t work as stand along pieces. Or even worse: Driver’s comedian character wasn’t funny. It’s upsetting how many people missed the point.

This is an opera. The music in operas are more about story and emotion than catchy beats and lyrics. Also, the fact that Driver is a comedian, or that Cotillard is an opera singer, does not matter. What matters is that they are both celebrities, hounded by the paparazzi and obsessed with their careers. That is what the movie is about.

Leos Carax:
One of the few directors who can make films that value style over substance and I won’t mind. He brings so much energy and imagination to every film.

Pros:

- This may be Adam Driver’s best performance, that alone is a good enough reason to see this.

- Incredible cinematography. Stunning set design.

- I have never felt such affection for a puppet in a movie before.

- Goes by surprisingly fast for a 2 hour and 20 minute runtime.

- Not all of the songs are great, but unlike the vast majority of musicals, there is not one bad song.

Cons:

- Covers a lot of timely topics but has nothing earth-shattering to say about them.

- Although the opening sequence is fantastic (and seems to be everyone’s favorite part of the movie) the rest of the film is not up to task of knocking our socks off as much as those first 5 minutes.

Favorite shot: Henry’s shocked face as Annette sings in bed, her face silhouetted by the spinning lamp.

Favorite line: “All the girls I see look so great to me. What amazes me is what they see in me.”