Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, and John Goodman
Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Screenplay by: Michel Hazanavicius
Is the silent film making a comeback? In an era in which every movie made involves dialogue, how would a silent film (in black and white) be able to compete? It's entirely possible, just ask the creators of The Artist, the only new silent film released in recent memory.
Hollywood 1927; the silent film era is beginning to come to a close with the invention of the "talkie", the film with sound and dialogue. Legendary silent film actor George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is on his way out of the spotlight with the coming age of films with sound. It seems that it is time for new faces, ones in which the public can hear as well as see.
It's a perfect situation for a beautiful young dancer, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), trying to get involved in this new industry known as Hollywood when she accidentally meets George Valentin for the first time, in a rather odd manner. Will she become Hollywood's next big sensation with George's help?
This is a most excellent film from the very start. It's done almost exactly like a film from the silent era, with the exception of the live orchestra. This film has it's music incorporated into the soundtrack. The opening credits are similar as well (although the end credits are done like a modern film).
I normally have quite a bit of trouble staying focused through a silent film, mainly because I am young and expect dialogue in every film I watch. Fortunately, The Artist is an easy film to follow even with the lack of dialogue, and is extremely entertaining. While it can be easier at times for the mind to wander away from the movie, those times are few. Towards the end, the film feels like it's been on for too long. It's a very intriguing story in which we mostly see the fall of a Hollywood star (somewhat like a Shakespeare tragedy such as Macbeth), but we see the rise of a new Hollywood star.
The story lacks some originality and seems to have some inspiration from Charlie Chaplin films, and there is even a scene reminiscent of Orson Welles's Citizen Kane.
All of the actors do a fabulous job and deliver exquisite performances, especially Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo in their few tap dancing scenes. John Goodman is also excellent in his role as the big studio mogul/director of both Valentin's and Miller's films.
And since this is a silent film, I must comment on the music. It is good music to hear while watching the film, but it doesn't seem to evoke all that emotion on the viewer. There is only one scene in which I felt any emotion, and it wasn't because of the music but because of the situation. But I will admit, the music is necessary in order to keep people like me focused on the story. The tone of the music helps us understand the scene a bit better, but again, does not evoke any emotion. While I loved the music in the film, it presented the only problem I had with it as well.
In the end, I think I have changed my favorite movie of 2011 to The Artist. For me, the best part comes at the end where we see something so unbelievably shocking and unusual, that it cannot be matched by any explosion or plot twist in another story. But you'll have to see the movie to find out what it is.
If the silent film era is making a comeback in the 21st century, I will certainly be happy based on what I have seen in The Artist. In fact, if somebody asked me if I would see it again, my response would be "with pleasure".
I'm giving The Artist my highest grade possible of A+ and I expect it to not only be nominated for, but also win some awards this coming award season.
Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Screenplay by: Michel Hazanavicius
Is the silent film making a comeback? In an era in which every movie made involves dialogue, how would a silent film (in black and white) be able to compete? It's entirely possible, just ask the creators of The Artist, the only new silent film released in recent memory.
Hollywood 1927; the silent film era is beginning to come to a close with the invention of the "talkie", the film with sound and dialogue. Legendary silent film actor George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is on his way out of the spotlight with the coming age of films with sound. It seems that it is time for new faces, ones in which the public can hear as well as see.
It's a perfect situation for a beautiful young dancer, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), trying to get involved in this new industry known as Hollywood when she accidentally meets George Valentin for the first time, in a rather odd manner. Will she become Hollywood's next big sensation with George's help?
This is a most excellent film from the very start. It's done almost exactly like a film from the silent era, with the exception of the live orchestra. This film has it's music incorporated into the soundtrack. The opening credits are similar as well (although the end credits are done like a modern film).
I normally have quite a bit of trouble staying focused through a silent film, mainly because I am young and expect dialogue in every film I watch. Fortunately, The Artist is an easy film to follow even with the lack of dialogue, and is extremely entertaining. While it can be easier at times for the mind to wander away from the movie, those times are few. Towards the end, the film feels like it's been on for too long. It's a very intriguing story in which we mostly see the fall of a Hollywood star (somewhat like a Shakespeare tragedy such as Macbeth), but we see the rise of a new Hollywood star.
The story lacks some originality and seems to have some inspiration from Charlie Chaplin films, and there is even a scene reminiscent of Orson Welles's Citizen Kane.
All of the actors do a fabulous job and deliver exquisite performances, especially Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo in their few tap dancing scenes. John Goodman is also excellent in his role as the big studio mogul/director of both Valentin's and Miller's films.
And since this is a silent film, I must comment on the music. It is good music to hear while watching the film, but it doesn't seem to evoke all that emotion on the viewer. There is only one scene in which I felt any emotion, and it wasn't because of the music but because of the situation. But I will admit, the music is necessary in order to keep people like me focused on the story. The tone of the music helps us understand the scene a bit better, but again, does not evoke any emotion. While I loved the music in the film, it presented the only problem I had with it as well.
In the end, I think I have changed my favorite movie of 2011 to The Artist. For me, the best part comes at the end where we see something so unbelievably shocking and unusual, that it cannot be matched by any explosion or plot twist in another story. But you'll have to see the movie to find out what it is.
If the silent film era is making a comeback in the 21st century, I will certainly be happy based on what I have seen in The Artist. In fact, if somebody asked me if I would see it again, my response would be "with pleasure".
I'm giving The Artist my highest grade possible of A+ and I expect it to not only be nominated for, but also win some awards this coming award season.
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