Critical darling and winner of Best Film, Actor and Director at the 2012 Academy Awards, this French romantic-comedy is set in 1927 Hollywood and an ode to the silent era. Strikingly, the film is silent (asides from a musical score) and shot in black and white.
George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a successful silent movie star when the arrival of sound and talking pictures derails his career. At the same time, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a vibrant young actress who got her start in the business thanks to Valentin, thrives in talkies and becomes a major star. Also stars John Goodman as a movie mogul and James Cromwell as Valentin’s driver.
One of the front-runners to take the Best Picture Oscar this year is this charming homage to the silent movies of old, which cleverly manages to reference all the aesthetic features of the era while remaining accessible and fresh to audiences of today.
Following a silent film star, George Valentin, who faces anonymity at the advent of the ‘talkies’, The Artist contains a very straight-forward, no-frills storyline about familiar staples: love, loss and success. All presented in black and white, traditional aspect ratio (1.33:1) with true-to-form exaggerated acting and a lively musical score.
Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are perfect as the leads, nailing the physicality and effortless charisma required. Also involved are John Goodman and James Cromwell but of course the dog (‘Uggie’) steals the show.
It’s interesting to reflect on how much narrative information can be conveyed without dialogue, although the appeal does wane slightly during the lengthy middle section where Valentin is down on his luck. It will be up to the individual to decide whether the film is either merely a stylistic gimmick or an intriguing modern perspective, but nonetheless this charming love letter to the medium is likely to win over wide audiences. Think of it as an art-house film that everyone can enjoy.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
What an interesting and delightful way to make a movie.A black and white film made in the old style,without speech,only music added. It is a simple story,set in Hollywood from 1929.It slowly draws you into the characters until you become connected.Superb camera work and style makes it easy to watch.The expresive faces of all the actors were a joy to see. Definitly not made for the mainstream audience but does give the viewer something completly different and entertaining.
I wanted to dislike this, I really did. 100mins of black and white, non-talky pretension? But I couldn't do it. Jean Dujardin is unbelievably charismatic, the dog is cute and the silent story more than keeps your attention. A novelty, sure, but an enjoyable one.
This movie is a joy. Something different, but very accessible - a true crowd pleaser featuring some previously unseen, amazing talent. Worthy of all the accolades.
Extract from theaterofthecommonman.com Taking us back to 1927, The Artist picks up with silent screen legend George Valentin (Jean Dujardin). Seemingly at the height of his career, George is hot property. Whilst posing for pictures at the premier of his latest picture A Russian Affair the married Valentin meets a beautiful young fan named Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). The meeting is photographed and scandalised on all the front pages, a curious public all wanting to know "who is that girl? Buoyed by the inquisitive adoration she is getting, Peppy decides to audition as an actress in George's next film. With the advent of the Talkie, Peppy's star is on the rise whilst the once powerful silent star, George, finds himself and his talents unneeded by a hungry film going public. I'm besotted with this film. In a time where it's all about who can talk the loudest without saying much at all, The Artist says everything by saying nothing at all. The creation in all its splendid glory is that of writer/director Michel Hazanavicius. With no prior knowledge of Michel's work, I can categorically say that I'm a huge fan and will follow his next move with great anticipation. The novelty of The Artist's silence aside, the film's richly fulfilling story is only topped by the astonishing performances from Jean Dujardin & Berenice Bejo. Both actors were asked to work in an art form that died out long ago, no easy feat I'd imagine. Though, for the professionals they are, this was clearly no obstacle. Their performances were truly spellbinding. It should also be noted that the dramatic & comedic queues of Jean & Berenice could only be reached by the addition of Ludovic Bource's beautifully tempered and exceptional score.
'The Artist' is such a joy to watch. It's lovely to have a film made incredibly well that harks back to the old days of "feel-good" movies. For once, we have an Academy Award winning film in which there is no blood & guts, no superhero, no pointless violence, no horror. What you do get is a film that is a wonderful homage to the age of the silent movie - a film that is relatively pure, innocent and heart-warming. I also agree with other reviewers - the dog in this movie steals the show!
It's a beautifully shot, beautifully acted piece of fluff.
I've seen The Artist three times, and each time it was applauded.
Not especially deep or profound—just (very) good old-fashioned fun.
Simply irresistible.
Days after I saw The Artist, I was still thinking (and grinning) about it.
