ONCE SEEN, ANNETTE is not easily forgotten. On paper, it’s a family drama: a comedian named Henry (Adam Driver) and an actor named Ann (Marion Cotillard) have a baby, then struggle as their relationship implodes. But on screen it’s a whole other proposition —a giddy, roiling, psychologically complex musical powered by a plethora of songs by Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers who comprise ultra-hip band Sparks. Oh, and that baby is a puppet. Naturally. The project, which began life as a mooted stage show, originally had over 40 pieces of music — we asked the Maels to shed light on some which actually made it into the movie.
SO MAY WE START In which the main cast, plus the Maels and director Leos Carax, sing to the audience while strutting down an LA street