THE ARTIST

I’m still reeling from the shock that I have just left my local Multiplex Theater where the crowds were out in full force for the latest ‘Mission Impossible’ blockbuster and another ‘Sherlock Holmes’ flick, yet my screen had a sold-out house even though it was playing a French Black & White Silent Movie, and as the end credits rolled the entire audience broke out into spontaneous applause.  Its not a question of what have they been putting in my neighbors's Christmas Eggnog, but more the fact that the movie in question is 'The Artist' and is evidently evoking the same response up and down the country.

George Valentin is a good looking, but very hammy, matinee idol that is a big movie star at the peak of his very successful career.  One night at the premiere of his latest movie Peppy Miller a young flapper girl literally falls over him by accident and the picture of the two of them together is all over the newspapers next day inadvertently jump-starting her career as a film extra.   The year is 1927 and movie buffs will know that’s just a couple of years before the ‘talkies’ arrive. George can suddenly hear sound coming from everywhere except his own voice.  Even his dog Uggie, not only his constant companion but also his movie co-star, starts barking.  In the midst of this nightmare the Studio halts production on all silent films to focus on this new trend.

Valentin hopes that it is just a passing fad and his day will come again, so using his savings he finances another silent film to stage his comeback.  Meanwhile young Peppy has worked her way up through the ranks and has her first starring role and when her movie opens to great acclaim the very same day as George’s which bombs, his fate is sealed.   Homeless, penniless, wifeless and with just a bottle of whisky and Uggie for company he is headed on a downward spiral, except we find out that he does have a guardian angel out there after all.

'The Artist' is so totally charming and completely mesmerizing from the word go. It’s a refreshingly bold and delightful romantic comedy that really cannot fail to move everyone. Jean Dujardin as George Valentin gets you from the very first big dazzling smile and is so utterly perfect there are times you can be forgiven for thinking he actually was a Silent Movie Star.  It’s a glorious performance and is a big factor in making this wonderful gem of a film so thoroughly entertaining.  The chemistry between him and Berenice Bejo (Peppy Miller) is electric and greatly enhances her performance too.  Look out too for some stray Americans in the cast: John Goodman as the tough Studio Head, James Cromwell as the loyal chauffer and Penelope Ann-Miller as the neglected wife.  Blink and you will miss Malcolm McDowell playing an Extra.

There are echoes of ‘A Star is Born’ in the plot, and more than a passing resemblance to 'Singing in The Rain' but as the (genius?) writer/director Michel Hazanavicius insisted it is important not to think of 'The Artist' as an old movie.  It very new indeed, and he clamed it’s a neglected format with gave him some exciting options as a storyteller.

R.T.V. The fact that M. Dujarin won a Palme D’Or for this role, and that the movie has already 8 Golden Globes Nominations and 3 SAG ones etc., should not be the main reason you should see this movie.  Go see it because it is a sheer joy.


★★★★★★★★★★