"The Artist" (2011)
Cast: Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, Bérénice Bejo as Peppy Miller, Uggie as Jack (the dog), etc.
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Synopsis: "The Artist" follows the lives of the famous silent movie star George Valentin and the novice actress Peppy Miller as they move in opposite directions.
Review:
The film occupies the period from 1927 to 1931 when silent movies are about to be replaced by talkies. A famous silent film star George Valentin is too proud to accept the new trend and as a result he is soon pushed aside as the cinema makes way for a new kind of star. Nevertheless, the novice actress Peppy Miller is ready to light the box office on fire, starring in the new talkie “The Beauty Spot”. Audiences fall in love with talking motion pictures and she's an instant hit. George's response is to try making a silent film on his own ("The Tears of Love"). However, in spite of his all attempts he fails. Moreover, his failure is combined with the stock market crash, leaving him sad, alone and forgotten. Nevertheless, Peppy, being deeply in love with him, finds ways to support George and make him believe in himself again.
"The Artist" is a beautiful film that pays homage to movies from the late 20's and early 30's, the silent film era. In order to do so, French director Michel Hazanavicius decided to make this film almost entirely without sound and in black and white. Michel Hazanavicius made a brilliant work at capturing the atmosphere, rhythm and texture of a mute cinema. It is necessary to mention that the direction displays such self-assurance, and treats the audience with such respect, that it is almost like having a dialogue with the director.
As for performances, Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo bring wonderful works, reaching that exact point of theatrical exaggeration and intimate detail the best actors from that period possessed. Jean Dujardin is really marvelous in his role. He has this perfect silent era charm about him and is such a great comic actor and emotionally charged actor. You can feel his pain and happiness where it is appropriate. Bérénice Bejo also has a great charm about her; she's weirdly beautiful and also a great actress. George’s dog Jack is one of the biggest forms of comic relief in the film. The way he plays dead and covers his head with his paws are always both presented in a fresh and funny way each time they're utilized. All of them performed really wonderful and managed to convey the atmosphere of those times and tell us almost a whole story without saying a single word. The supporting actors are also effective in their respective roles.
As for the musical score, it is an irreplaceable part of a silent movie and in “The Artist” it is perfect. So the music is subtle when it needs to be subtle, dramatic when the occasion calls for it, and never overbearing or overwrought. It's not overkill in the slightest. As for the screenplay, it is perfectly written and even some movie clichés end up in an unexpected twist. The camera-work is fantastic old school and really looks like that it was made in the 1920 - 30s. The set design, costumes and cars all feel authentic to the period to which this film refers.
All in all, “The Artist” is an absolute marvel - charming, witty, surprising, and moving, clever and beautiful. This is a glorious mixture of the old and the new and has great balance between light comedy, intense romance and at times dark drama. It is absolutely worthy of applause and awards and each person will find something interesting for them in it. The elder generation will have some nostalgic experience, while the modern one will receive an extraordinary and hugely entertaining lesson on the history of cinema. “The Artist” grips your heart and your attention and never really lets go. I highly recommend this film to anybody who loves cinema.
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Synopsis: "The Artist" follows the lives of the famous silent movie star George Valentin and the novice actress Peppy Miller as they move in opposite directions.
Review:
The film occupies the period from 1927 to 1931 when silent movies are about to be replaced by talkies. A famous silent film star George Valentin is too proud to accept the new trend and as a result he is soon pushed aside as the cinema makes way for a new kind of star. Nevertheless, the novice actress Peppy Miller is ready to light the box office on fire, starring in the new talkie “The Beauty Spot”. Audiences fall in love with talking motion pictures and she's an instant hit. George's response is to try making a silent film on his own ("The Tears of Love"). However, in spite of his all attempts he fails. Moreover, his failure is combined with the stock market crash, leaving him sad, alone and forgotten. Nevertheless, Peppy, being deeply in love with him, finds ways to support George and make him believe in himself again.
"The Artist" is a beautiful film that pays homage to movies from the late 20's and early 30's, the silent film era. In order to do so, French director Michel Hazanavicius decided to make this film almost entirely without sound and in black and white. Michel Hazanavicius made a brilliant work at capturing the atmosphere, rhythm and texture of a mute cinema. It is necessary to mention that the direction displays such self-assurance, and treats the audience with such respect, that it is almost like having a dialogue with the director.
As for performances, Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo bring wonderful works, reaching that exact point of theatrical exaggeration and intimate detail the best actors from that period possessed. Jean Dujardin is really marvelous in his role. He has this perfect silent era charm about him and is such a great comic actor and emotionally charged actor. You can feel his pain and happiness where it is appropriate. Bérénice Bejo also has a great charm about her; she's weirdly beautiful and also a great actress. George’s dog Jack is one of the biggest forms of comic relief in the film. The way he plays dead and covers his head with his paws are always both presented in a fresh and funny way each time they're utilized. All of them performed really wonderful and managed to convey the atmosphere of those times and tell us almost a whole story without saying a single word. The supporting actors are also effective in their respective roles.
As for the musical score, it is an irreplaceable part of a silent movie and in “The Artist” it is perfect. So the music is subtle when it needs to be subtle, dramatic when the occasion calls for it, and never overbearing or overwrought. It's not overkill in the slightest. As for the screenplay, it is perfectly written and even some movie clichés end up in an unexpected twist. The camera-work is fantastic old school and really looks like that it was made in the 1920 - 30s. The set design, costumes and cars all feel authentic to the period to which this film refers.
All in all, “The Artist” is an absolute marvel - charming, witty, surprising, and moving, clever and beautiful. This is a glorious mixture of the old and the new and has great balance between light comedy, intense romance and at times dark drama. It is absolutely worthy of applause and awards and each person will find something interesting for them in it. The elder generation will have some nostalgic experience, while the modern one will receive an extraordinary and hugely entertaining lesson on the history of cinema. “The Artist” grips your heart and your attention and never really lets go. I highly recommend this film to anybody who loves cinema.
Well done!
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George's response is to MAKE a silent film on his own ...
... in spite of ALL HIS attempts he fails ...
... is such a great EMOTIONALLY CHARGED comic actor.