The Artist is the first silent film in many years about the death of
silent film and what happens to the actors cut out of the industry. A
beautiful love letter to the art of silent film making, the physical acting and
the importance of an emotive score.
The plot tells us about popular silent film actor George Valentin (played
beautifully by Jean Dujardin), dashing and cut from the gorgeous cloth,
excelling in his industry. Selling out every
film he releases. He is suddenly usurped
by a young star wannabe called Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), a star he himself
made famous purely by accidental association.
As one star slowly falls, another sharply reaches the mighty heights of
stardom with the advent of sound in film.
The music over the film is fantastic.
It forces you to read words in your mind that are not heard. It adds the right amount of emotion,
slapstick, heartbreak and barks for little dog Uggie! I remember hearing people hold their breaths
during the parts of the film where there was no score, or eating their popcorn as
quietly as they could so as not to disturb the flow of the film.
The fun scene with Miller playing with Valentin's jacket after she sneaks into his dressing room is priceless. Without a single word, we understand every feeling she feels and every intention with every move she makes. Both Bejo and Dujardin will go very far in their new found stardom.
The Artist is beautiful. Stylish, fantastic, wonderful, fabulous! This film has the potential to do great things
and it being marketed mainstream will only mean that more people will see it
and fall in love with it as much as I have.
I would love to see it with a live orchestra if possible. Anyone want to come with me and see it again?
