Movie Review of The Artist
My husband recommended we go see The Artist last weekend. We had a random date night and couldn’t find anything we had to see, so headed to our local artsy fartsy movie theatre, Angelika Films here in Dallas to check out this silent movie.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixqr8D7J_Kc&feature=fvst
What’s The Artist About?
From Wikipedia:
The Artist is a 2011 French comedy-drama film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on the relationship of an older silent film star and a rising young actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies. Most of the film itself is silent; it was produced in black-and-white, and has received wide praise from critics and many accolades. Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.
Awards Awards and More Awards
I guess this movie is up for quite a few (and have won) awards. Well deserved!
From Wikipedia:
The film was nominated for six Golden Globes, the most of any film from 2011, and won three; Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Dujardin). In January 2012 the film was nominated for twelve BAFTAs, also the most of any film from 2011,and won seven, the most wins of the night, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Dujardin. It is currently nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture,Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, Best Actor for Dujardin, and Best Supporting Actress for Bejo. In France, it has been nominated for ten César Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Writing – Original for Hazanavicius, Best Actor for Dujardin, and Best Actress for Béjo.
Yes, It’s a Modern Silent Movie
Yes, this movie is a silent movie. An old concept made new, kind of. With minimal breakaways, and mostly music and great acting – how would I enjoy such a film? I LOVED IT.
I typically do 2 things in movies that don’t capture me.
1. Fall asleep
2. Play on Twitter/Facebook
I did neither, except snapped an Instagram shot.
The movie was so well put together you didn’t want to look away, then you’d miss what was going on. You couldn’t half listen to the film so you had to watch. The way the silent movie was put together left you guessing and interpreting the film in a totally different way than the normal.
As my husband put it, everyone in the theatre most likely came away watching a different movie because you inject your own script into the movie since there isn’t one.
Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.
Director:
Michel Hazanavicius
Writer:
Michel Hazanavicius (scenario and dialogue)
Stars:
Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and John Goodman