The Artist (2011)

The Artist
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Written by Michel Hazanavicius
2011/France/Belgium/US
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Doris: I’m unhappy.

George Valentin: So are millions of us.[/box]

I can’t think of a more perfect movie for these times.  These enthusiastic young people wouldn’t let any mere virus get in the way of their dreams!  And so we must hold onto ours.

The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 as the movies were transitioning from silents to talkies.  George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a conceited silent film star of the Douglas Fairbanks, swashbuckling sort.  He meets very cute with his biggest fan Peppy Miller (Berenice Bujo)  who is trying to break into the business.  His path crosses with Peppy’s several times as the story continues and there is an unmistakeable attraction at each meeting.  George, however, is married to the long-suffering Doris, who hates everything about him but his money.

Studio head Al Zimmer (John Goodman) informs George that the studio is going strictly to talkies.  He says audiences are looking for new faces.  Peppy will be one of them as her star rises high.

But George refuses to speak.  Instead he put every penny he has into a self-produced and directed jungle adventure.  This bombs at the box office.  His wife leaves him.  He is reduced to living in a small apartment with his faithful driver Clifton (the wonderful James Cromwell).  Things go downhill from there for George. I’ll stop there.  With the ultra-talented Uggie as Jack, George’s dog.

I absolutely love this movie.  It delighted me on original release and I had a grin slapped on my face for the entire running time yesterday.  My plot summary does no justice to the very clever screenplay which takes situations from classic movies (Singin’ in the Rain; A Star Is Born) in a totally modern and unexpected direction.

Every element of this film is flawless in my opinion.  The Artist  is beautiful to look at and listen to. I entered another world as I got immersed in the story and characters.  This is truly cinema.   Most Highly Recommended.

Hollywood has always loved movies about itself.  The Artist won Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actor; Best Costume Design; and Best Music, Original Score.  It was nominated in the categories of Best Supporting Actress (Bejo); Best Writing, Original Screenplay; Best Cinematography; Best Film Editing; and Best Art Direction.