MOVIE REVIEW - The Artist

It's black and white, it's silent, and it's finally being shown locally. The Artist is here.

The Artist is quite frankly, sensational. It is so interesting, fresh, and new. If you are a movie goer that's always looking for something different at the movies this is for you. Isn't it ironic that what is today considered fresh, is a style of movie making that has been extinct since 1927 or so. It would be difficult for this movie to be more charming.

The Artist is the story of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin). He and his wonderful little Jack Russel dog (Uggie) are the undisputed kings of the silent movie era. They star in movie after movie thrilling movie goers. Then in 1927, the talking movies become reality. George dismisses it as a passing fad, and of course he is wrong. So he eventually loses everything through his pride, and the stock market crash of 1929.

Meet Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). She is a younger actress who befriends George while working in silent movies. But she embraces the new era of talkies and becomes a big star. She also is in love with George, but never really makes it plain to him. So, can George survive his own pride, and the economy? And Will George and Peppy ever fall in love? That in it's most simple shell is The Artist.

This movie is wonderful. Filmed in beautiful, and palpable black and white it is hard to take your eyes off the screen. A fantastic orchestral musical soundtrack plays throughout, and that score will win the Oscar. And so will this movie. The Artist will more than likely win multiple Oscars. Hollywood loves to honor movies made about art, by artists, and showcasing their own industry. Many times that affection is misguided, but here it is apt. This movie is brilliant.

Dujardin and Bejo both totally create amazing characters on screen with no dialogue. You really get to know who George is, and who is isn't through Dujardin's amazing non verbal communication on screen. Same with Bejo, who would also be hard pressed to be more charming, and lovely in this role. Uggie the dog, is amazing, and is in virtually every single scene. He gives this movie an element that is paramount to it's success. He, along with the music help it's pacing.

I've heard some critics say that this is a great movie to take the kids to. And you certainly can. But remember, it's silent, and black and white. And of course, most kids today have never seen anything like this before. That is both the best reason, and possibly the worst reason to take them to this movie. Some may be enthralled, some could be totally non engaged. There is no animation, no special effects, or action. This is simply story telling.

The Artist. Simply fantastic. An achievement of the first order.