The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius 2011): France/Belgium

Reviewed by Jan Mclaughlin viewed at Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

It’s 1927 Hollywood silent screen star, George Valentin ( Jean Dujardin) is basking in the glory of his latest picture ” A Russian Affair”. He’s enjoying the adulation he receives by taking numerous bows. Peppy Miller ( Berenice Bejo) is an up and coming actress who literally runs into Valentin at the premier, this chance encounter ends up being the launching pad to her acting career. Kinograph studios is where Valentin is under contract and looking for fresh faces like Peppy Miller to star in their talking pictures. Valentin is in denial about the whole concept of talking pictures and Peppy’s career soars as Valentin’s plummets with the arrival of the talkies. The young actress tries to help Valentin as much as she can to save the man she loves. It dosen’t take long for the Artist to pull you in.

The Artist was shot in black and white is  silent, with subtitles and French. Not your present day formula for the American movie going audience but it works!  Movie title cards, posters, newspaper headlines rolling hot off the press and theatre marquees often mirror the plot. For example there is a scene where Peppy finds her way into the screen stars dressing room, she is embracing and smelling his suit, in the back ground a poster title on the wall  reads ” Thief of his heart”. As the stock market crashes and George hits bottom his last ditch effort film plays on the big screen as he is drowning in quicksand. Director/Writer Michel Hazanavicius has an eye for detail.

Along with the cleverly written story written by Hazanavicius, are outstanding preformances by French actors  Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin who recieved a SAG award for best actor. John Goodman plays Al Zimmer the studio boss with the big fat cigar, James Cromwell as  the ever faithfull chaffuer Clifton, and cameos by Malcom Mcdowell and Ken Davitian ( Borats sidekick) as the pawn broker.

I found myself in awe of Peppy Miller’s fabulously beaded flapper dresses, The Artist has been nominated for an Oscar for best costumes, best picture, best actor, best supporting actress, art direction, cinematography and director.

The Artist  was a total pleasure, gorgeously shot by cinematographer Guillaume shiffman and with a seamless score by Ludovie Bource, The Artist includes everything we go to the movies for: laughs, love, tears and a glimpse into another world.