‘The Artist,’ directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Director Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist has been in limited release for the past eight weeks, until this weekend, when it finally expanded to a few hundred more theaters. The film’s buzz has been building since the Cannes Film Festival, where the film’s star, Jean Dujardin, took home the Best Actor Award. Last weekend, the film took home three Golden Globes, including Best Picture (Comedy/Musical), Best Actor (Comedy/Musical) and Best Score. The film has gained notoriety for being silent, black and white and shot in the 1.33:1 Academy ratio, but its classic story, acting, directing and overall style make you quickly forget all of that.
The Artist’s story, written by Hazanavicius, is cut from the same cloth as A Star Is Born or Singin’ in the Rain, telling the simple story of a has-been actor falling in love with an actress he discovered and whose star soon eclipses his. However, Hazanavicius weaves in several cute and unforgettable moments to keep it from being a third remake of A Star Is Born. It starts with silent film star George Valentin (Dujardin) at the height of his popularity, with an egomaniacal personality to show. After the premiere of his latest movie, he bumps into the beautiful Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). When a photograph of the meeting appears on the cover of Variety, Peppy uses the opportunity to get a job as an extra. She thrives on the screen while George’s relationship with his wife breaks down. By 1929, George’s studio, led by Al Zimmer (John Goodman), finally decides to embrace sound and Peppy’s star goes through the roof. George refuses to appear in talkies, though, and after making his own silent film, which bombs, he goes into a state of depression, from which only Peppy can drag him out.
The film is simply stunning, with just about every piece working. Thanks to Hazanavicius’s attention to detail, for 100 minutes you almost forget that this was made in 2011. Stylistic devices such as camera moves, the iris effect, editing and even the slight color tinting of the image are all borrowed from classic silents and talkies. Hazanavicius even uses a clever newspaper headline montage to show Peppy’s startling success. If there is one complaint, though, it might be that the film does feel a little slow in the latter third, as Peppy is kept out of the picture for a long stretch, but, once she comes back, the film picks up speed towards a fantastic ending.
Dujardin and Bejo are also an irresistible couple. It is unfortunate that Dujardin has been showered with awards because Bejo is just as impressive. The scene in George’s dressing room, in which a star-struck Peppy searches the room, eventually pretending that his suit is flirting with her, is simply amazing. Bejo’s performance here is wonderful and it makes me wonder how many of today’s actresses could express so much without words.
Of course, you can’t write a review on The Aritst without mentioning Uggie, the scene-stealing dog. The film is also littered with some fine supporting performances by Goodman, James Cromwell as George’s driver, and even Malcolm McDowell has a bit part.
The Artist is a fine film that makes you wonder why the majority of those in the movie business can’t figure out how to make a film that is able to blend drama and comedy so effortlessly and perfectly. The film has some decent competition for the Best Picture Oscar, but there is no reason why it should not be considered one of the favorites for the top award. It would be great to see the Academy reward a fun, touching and beautiful film like The Artist.