Review: The Artist (PG) (From The Northern Echo)

Film Review: The Artist (PG)

3:55pm Thursday 29th December 2011 in Reviews By Steve Pratt

Rating: 5/5

THOSE who moan that “they don’t make them like that any more” would do well to consider The Artist – a black and white silent movie, made in 2011 but employing all the cinematic hallmarks of a moving picture produced before the talkies came in.

Don’t dismiss it as just a gimmick. This isn’t Mel Brooks’ comic Silent Movie or Movie Movie which satirised Thirties genre movies. The Artist is both homage and a film in its own right set in Twenties Hollywood as the careers of silent screen stars came under threat from the advent of talkies.

The Artist is a triumph in all departments. It looks like a silent movie, it sounds like a silent movie (courtesy of Ludovic Bource’s soaring score) and it plays like a heartfelt recreation of a bygone cinematic era.

The Artist was a hit at Cannes (French leading man Jean Dujardin was named best actor) and hotly tipped for Oscar success. It’s already been named best film by the New York Critics Society and is the top nominee at the Golden Globes.

Oscar nominations and at least a couple of wins can’t be far behind.

Writer-director Michel Hazanavicius obviously loves silent movies, but doesn’t let that get in the way of delivering a film that makes you laugh, cry and worry about the humans, while marvelling at the canine antics of Uggy (deserved winner of the Cannes’ Palm Dog award).

Vain, spotlightloving star George Valentin (Dujardin) is photographed with a fan Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) at the premiere of his new silent movie, only to see her discovered and become a screen star herself.

Come the advent of talking pictures Valentin finds himself out of favour, whereas Peppy’s voice comes over loud and clear. She’s a star, while his star and his finances sink ever lower.

American actors James Cromwell (as Valentin’s loyal chauffeur) and John Goodman (as a studio executive) are familiar faces among the cast of a movie that shows actions can speak louder than words.