By snoadmin
The year is 1929. Herbert Hoover is President of the United States, the stock market has crashed and the film industry is transitioning from the silent era to movies described as “talkies.” “The Artist” is able to captivate the essence of this historical period as the only silent black-and-white film created in the 21st century.
Written and directed by French filmmaker, Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist” takes a classic approach to movies, avoiding the intense 3D effects and high action scenes that current films display in order to attract audiences.
With only minimal closed captions, and the magnificent scene-setting melodies by Ludovic Bource, the silent film tells a timeless Hollywood story of a famous 1920s silent actor, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin). At the start of the film, Valentin is depicted as a successful actor. However, when his career dramatically comes to a halt as a result of the rise in sound movie production, his vanity leads him into a downward spiral.
Of course, a classic film would not be the same without an enchanting love story, which is where the lovely Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) offers her flapper dance skills, natural smile and flirtatious eyes.
Miller meets Valentin after she accidentally bumps into him at a press photo opportunity, and miraculously ends up on the front page of every entertainment newspaper, with the headline “Who’s that girl?” Ultimately, she gets into the film business and as Valentin’s career quickly declines, Miller’s is on the rise as the new Hollywood “It” girl — who can act and talk.
Without ever hearing a word from the French actress Bejo, her acting says it all. Performing Miller’s character, who is meant to represent the typical rising starlet, Bejo uses a variety of facial expressions, drastic hand gestures and crazy dance moves to ironically prove she can act without talking. A perfect example would be when Miller, as a fan, sneaks into Valentin’s dressing room and pretends to cuddle with him by placing her arm into his coat and caresses herself with it.
In addition to a French filmmaker and French lead actress, it is no surprise that playing the lead role would be French actor, Dujardin. Aside from his suave portrayal of George Valentin, Dujardin is also able to show when Valentin hits rock bottom by depicting him as an angry alcoholic in a state of depression. Just like most conventional black-and-white films, there is a dramatic scene filled with rage and sorrow when Valentin is seen, with a liquor bottle in his hand, watching his own films in his dingy apartment.
In order to add some form of comic relief, Valentin has best friend — his dog. The adorable small dog creates laughter throughout the audience with his unique tricks and great loyalty to his owner. The idea to have a dog as a companion resembles the 1934 film, “The Thin Man,” where a cute dog follows his owner around throughout the film.
“The Artist” does a compelling job at alluding to other films from the classic era such as “A Star is Born,” “Citizen Kane” and “Singing in the Rain.”
Since this is in fact a silent film with only short subtitles sporadically presented throughout the film, it is Bource’s bubbly musical scores that create such a timely flow for the film. During a sweet love scene, the scores are light and mesmerizing. However, when Valentin throws his film projector against the wall, the music is like thunder rattling through the theater.
Although the technology in film production today allows vivid pictures and profound scenes, cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman gives “The Artist” that satin glow from the original black-and-white films of the past.
“The Artist” is currently playing in select theaters, such as the Arclight Theater in Hollywood, but will open nationwide in December.
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