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A black and white love story of a fading star of the silent movies and a rising heroine of the talkies set in late 1920s and early 30s
A black and white love story of a fading star of the silent movies and a rising heroine of the talkies set in late 1920s and early 30s
In the cinema of silence, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is king. He doesn't need the sound of words. With his mobile face and elastic body, he brings any emotion to life. He doesn't care much for his co-stars; the only actor he is willing to share screen space with is his dog (Uggy). The audience laughs uproariously at anything he does. And that translates into box-office winners, which is why the studio bosses bow to his whims.
But all good things must come to an end. And when the talkies arrive, Valentin suddenly becomes a pre-historic dinosaur. "You and I belong to another era, George," the studio boss says. Change creates victims, especially those who resist it. And Valentin is one of them. He believes in the silent movies and makes one too. But it bombs.
Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) is the flipside of change. The starlet is the new vanilla of the season. In times of the silent movies, she had a crush on Valentin and he liked her too. But as she goes up the ladder, Valentin becomes a prisoner of his past. Pride becomes his prejudice. He clings to his ego like a cripple hangs on to a crutch. And he becomes a leper in his own mind, refusing everything, including acting parts and love. How can you rescue someone who's enjoying a free fall into the abyss?
If we still love George Valentin despite his flaws and transgressions, it is because actor Jean Dujardin has made him irresistible with his wicked moustache, gelled hair, rakish charm and to-die-far tap dancing moves. But, more than that, he gets the style and mannerism in synchronicity with the silent era. Even his smile seems to have been imported from 1920s.
Yet The Artist is essentially a director's movie. It can be read as a simple romantic comedy or an allegory of social change. The pain of the silent movies star is the same for anyone and everyone rendered obsolete by technology. But this is also a daring movie. Making a black and white flick -- that too a no-dialogue movie -- requires supreme belief. But for the occasion when the dialogues are splashed in bold capital on screen, we can only guess what the characters say. Yet the absence of dialogue in the modern way is never felt. Director Hazanavicius turns a courageous idea into textbook cinema.
Leisurely paced and filmed in an old-fashioned way that reminds one of the best of Charlie Chaplin, The Artist is a tribute to silent cinema, indeed to an age. The background music is stunningly evocative. And there's a certain grace and charm with which the movie has been made. The scene where Valentin first spots Miller, or just her dancing legs, behind a screen will endure in memory.
Feted worldwide, the movie is in the race for 10 Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor. The Artist makes you understand, what a philosopher once said, "If you can't understand my silence, you won't understand my words."
Review posted more than 6 month ago
inspirational & nice romantic movie....
Review posted more than 6 month ago
Silence speaks volumes...
Review posted more than 6 month ago
A nice romantic story of the movie ! A beautiful one !
Review posted more than a year ago
I can say well deserved Oscar, Jean was superb. This is my personal opinion, please do not leave comments against my comment. Thanks in advance.
Review posted more than a year ago
Hats off to the director who thought about making this iconic movie..
Review posted more than a year ago
Hats off to the daring of producer and director for experimenting. A relishing journey through old era becomes memorable even after leaving the auditorium which proves effectiveness of the story telling without dialogue. Some of the things are not convincing like at the release of movie nobody notice the presence of the hero outside theater, who was superstar before couple of years. Practically, stardom is not fading or downgraded to such level in couple of years. Leading actor of the movie is a superstar who is having company of a dog, driver and liquor throughout his life ...what a lone superstar... not convincing! Face expressions and acting of lead actor -superb. Watch it for novelty, creativity and simplicity of storytelling.
Review posted more than a year ago
very Boring and stupid movie.... i am very disaapointed tht rather thn givin best picture award to "Hugo" or "War Horse"...this stupid movie "The Artist " sweep the best picture award... :X
Review posted more than a year ago
The dog 'Uggie' deserves an Oscar nomination in supporting actor category....
Review posted more than a year ago
Watched The Artist today. Wonderful movie. Just the expressions and the background music convey so much. A must watch. Really takes you into the late 1920s and early 1930s
Review posted more than a year ago
terrific...!!!!
Review posted more than a year ago
A must watch movie - to get a glance of past - great work and Oscar deserving.
Review posted more than a year ago
I saw this movie knowing nothing about it. It was without duobt the worst movie I have ever seen. I was going to walk out after 10 minutes, but stayed to be totally bored right to the end. Here are the details: The characters are paper, nothing important is known about them at the beginning or end. The man plays out a tired, worn story line of not being able to move to talkies.. Nothing new is said or shown about that. He is neither good-looking or interesting. The fame he supposedly had gained is completely unexplained/unexplainable. The woman is a charicature of perkiness, who likes him for no reason we are every privy to, and she actually has only met him a few times, briefly. The action is overly dramatic, in silent style, but that just means that the actors "mug" for the camera to tell us with excessive expressions what they mean. Everything they mean is superficial and witout nuance. There is very little use of text, which only functions to convey essential facts. That is, it does not add ANY nuance to the story. So the story is stupid and boring, the characters uninteresting, undeveloped stereotypes, the scenery is banal, and the resolution of the story line is preposterous--- how could he make fame as a dancer in movies where everyone had to speak? If this gets an oscar, movies are on the funeral pyre.
Review posted more than a year ago
Classic movie made with a lot of heart..the movie has its heart at the right place.The risk of making a silent movie is worth every moment..try not to miss it...
Review posted more than a year ago
This is one unique film, that takes you to a very different world of movies. It has a moving emotional and romantic theme. There are no dialogues, Your eyes do all the watching/ reading and the music to your ears goes straight to the heart rousing various emotions. Need to go with an open mind and would need you to turn your mobiles off - you cannot afford to miss even one frame. My favourite scene is the one where the transition is made from silent to talkies - and what Jean goes through. Also liked the tap dance at the end. And, of course the dog was outstanding. A must watch - for its classic touch. Should be an all time great movie ...
Review posted more than a year ago
Its a silent still engaging movie. U never miss the dialogues. The movie is made so well and the actors are too good. No doubt its an Oscar nominee.
Review posted more than a year ago
The Artist is truely an inspirational movie on being optimistic. It's a rocket to the moon fueled by unadulterated joy and pure imagination. Jean facial expressions and Bejo charm will make you see it again n again. Specially the closing tap dance...excellent.....
Review posted more than a year ago
Too strong opinions. I feel a movie either touches your heart or does not , who cares about technic. Not only is it heart warming but an iconic movie where they are using the technique which is older that most of the human population today. It is a land mark movie which will be remembered for many many years to come. there will be a whole lot of followers and copy cats but it will remain one of its kind. Interesting that you found it boring. on your last point , Any explanation why artists like usher are copying Gene Kelly and has made a movement to movement copyh video of singing in the rain, why do we still remember John Travolta's moves.Probably after many years there will not be any answer to understan whyh MJ is being copied. Silence / talking doesn't appeal to all but dancing the way he does which touches all generations and is relevant forever ....
Review posted more than a year ago
u r a dumb arse sally..
Review posted more than a year ago
u have just discribe every bollywood move.
Review posted more than a year ago
a thousand agrees dude! so right u are!
Review posted more than a year ago
u must be a complete idiot not to like this piece of supreme art work
Review posted more than a year ago
Best inspirational movie i EVER SEEN.i THINK BOLLYWOOD SHOULD TAKE BASIC LEARNINGS OF MOVIES FROM SUCH GREAT WORKS.
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