"The Artist" has it all----no spoken words (almost), subtitles, black and white look, an actor and actress most of us has never seen. And a corny predictable teary script.


This adorable and attractive film is why we embrace the cinema and willing to pay the price of admission. It's Magic!


I'm a big fan of such classics such as "A Star is Born" and "Sunset Boulevard" (among others), but"The Artist" is much more than a retelling of these films. An invigorating fresh look during an era that was the purest of the times.


It's a story of silent era film star George Valentine (think of Fairbanks/Valentino) who can't (or won't) adjust to the onset of sound. By 1931 (film opens in 1927) he's finished and broke. His wife has left him. He's a drunk. The only two that stayed by his side is his faithful dog Uggie (think of Asta) and his driver/servant. However, while George's career collapses it's also time when unknowns turn into stars. Enters Peppy Miller (think of the Flapper or It Girl).


Jean Dujardin as George Valentin performance is as good as most silent era actors. The supporting cast adds to the enjoyment: John Goodman as the studio head (think Leo B Mayer). Penelope Ann Miller as George's wife. And the beautiful Berenice Bejo as the rising starlet.


It works on all levels. The ending would make MGM and Lockwood & Selden really proud.

A+


Jack

I have just revisited "The Artist" for the third time. One of the loveliest films I've ever seen. It's total magic. Hopefully, now that it has been released country-wide more movie fans will see it.

Jack

Rave reviews so far. Coming to my cinema 20th January. Can't wait!

Loved it! Especially after seeing 'Shame' the night before.

worthwhile, but not amazing. The medium of the whole piece is an interesting thing, but I thought they hyped it up far more than it was worth.

i would give it 4 out of 5 stars....but, for the substance of the film itself, without the medium particularly, only a 3

It's rare that I describe a film as 'absolutely delightful' but The Artist is just that. Lovely (if not too original) story (as JWF has laid out above) beautiful cinematography, wonderful score (a silent movie is so much better when it has a score written especially for it and not just random instrumental music over the top)

Jean Dujardin is really good as the silent star whose career hits the skids when talkies come along. The beginning of the film reminded very much of Singin' in the Rain (not surprisingly as it deals with the same themes) with Missy Pyle as the 'Lena Lamonte' figure. Berenice Bejo, as the up coming Starlet 'Peppy Miller', is fabulous and stunningly attractive (in a 1930s flapper styl-ee). And what's not to love about Uggie the Jack Russell!
The scene where Valentin finally sacks his life long assistant/secretary/chauffeur, Clifton (James Cromwell) because he can no longer pay him (and therefore releasing him to find a better job) was heartbreaking. I love films about the early days of Hollywood and film making and this, with crystal clear monochrome photography and it's (almost) complete silence (but with dialogue cards) just added to the whole ambience of the subject. No wonder it did so well at the Oscars and Cannes.

I couldn't help noticing the strong similarity between Dujardin's 'George Valentin' and real life silent movie star, John Gilbert whose career also went 'mammeries perpendicular' when talkies came along (some say because his voice was not suited to talkies) although 'Valentin' was more 'Douglas Fairbanks Snr' with a bit of Valentino thrown in. I'm guessing the similarity was planned..although that slicked back hair and pencil moustache was kind of de rigeur for Matinee idols back then.


John Gilbert

'George Valentin'

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The Artist – 2011 – Michael Hazanavicius

In 1927, The Jazz Singer became the first film with synchronized dialogue. A few years later, “talkies” became popular and silent films died. Not too many actors made a successful transition from silents to talkies, and often those were comedic actors like Laurel and Hardy or Charlie Chaplin. Silent film acting was a different style. With no audible dialogue and no way to convey tone of voice and subtlety, actors had to rely on facial expressions, hand gestures, and overacting. Some actors didn't simply struggle to make the transition, but rather refused to do so.
Such is the case of actor George Valentin in The Artist. The film opens, not coincidentally, in 1927. George (Jean Dujardin) is a nice guy, but proud and somewhat egotistical and cocky. He helps out an attractive young actress, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). Peppy's star gradually climbs while George's fame suddenly crashes at the advent of the talkies. Meanwhile, George's unhappy and bored housewife (Penelope Ann Miller) leaves him and he goes broke. He becomes suicidal, and Peppy tries to save him.
There is almost no audible dialogue in this movie and very little sound save the accompanying orchestra music. It is shot perfectly like the silent films of old. There is one wonderful scene in which the music stops and George is attacked by the ordinary sounds of setting a glass on a table, his dog barking, laughter, the wind. He is overwhelmed by this. It's the best scene in the picture. The cast is wonderful and includes character actor James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, The Green Mile, and dozens of others you've surely seen) and John Goodman (the most underrated actor in Hollywood). Not sure why Malcolm McDowell was put in a 30 second role.
There isn't really anything wrong with this movie except for there really is no time and place to enjoy it. It may have been best enjoyed in the theater. If you have a very short attention span, you might have trouble watching it. There are a few humorous moments, but nothing that will make you laugh out loudly. It's a highly original movie and I think that's why it won so many awards. It is so different from anything else that Hollywood is pumping out nowadays. But despite practically no flaws in this movie, it's hard to give it a super high rating and that's mainly due to the pure entertainment factor. It would make a great companion film with Sunset Boulevard (1950), Mel Brook's Silent Movie (1976), or any actual silent movie.
I give it 7 out of 10.

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