The Artist
Cast includes: Jean Dujardin (OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies), Bérénice Bejo (A Knight’s Tale), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski), James Cromwell (Six Feet Under), Uggie (Water for Elephants)
Writer/Director: Michel Hazanavicius (OSS:Cairo, Nest of Spies)
Genre: Comedy/Romance/Light Drama (2011)
Dramatic music… Credits… Action… It’s 1927, and we’re watching the opening of George Valentin’s latest silent film, A Russian Affair. The audience loves it, and there are many curtain calls afterward… cue the light breezy pop music. Outside the theater are throngs of fans and autograph seekers. Fan Peppy Miller accidentally bumps into Valentin. In an attempt to smooth over an awkward moment, Peppy and Valentin stage a theatrical kiss, which gets photographed and splashed all over the newspapers… with the headline, “Who’s That Girl?” When Peppy takes a studio tour at Kinograph Studio, a lucky break lands Peppy a role in Valentin’s new film, A German Affair. And when she comes to thank Valentin, he gives her some helpful advice on how to stand out as an actress.
Thanks in part to George Valentin’s advice, Peppy Miller’s career takes off. But in 1929, as movies are changing to talkies, Valentin isn’t receptive to the advice others are giving him on keeping his career viable. He’s an artist, and he doesn’t see the artistry in making talking pictures. As his career and life spirals down, there’s only one person who still values his artistry… Peppy Miller. Many of the silent film stars simply faded away… will that be Valentin’s fate? Or will he compromise his artistic principles?
This is a charming film. It’s shot in black and white, and it’s mostly silent (with music, of course). But don’t assume it’s boring, esoteric or irrelevant. In between the many charming bits, there’s a message about surviving in changing times, believing in true talent and loyalty. Seeing actors we know and love in the environment of a silent movie is a lot of fun. And I absolutely must mention the dog… Uggie often steals the show. In the tradition of Aster from The Thin Man series, the dog adds an explanation point to many scenes… and in the tradition of Lassie, Uggie saves the day. When the film first starts, we notice the lack of sound, but very quickly we readjust our expectations and find we don’t miss it. The filmmakers combine the traditions of early silent films with some nice surprises. Without color or sound, it takes us outside our movie-viewing comfort zone, and we have to use different mental faculties to engage with this film. The surprise is that it’s easy and very enjoyable.
3 popped kernels
A totally charming look at the early days of talking pictures
Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13
Primary Audience: Grown-ups
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Both upbeat and somber
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Nicely varnished realism
Character Development: Not that kind of film
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Thought provoking
