The Artist

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Plot: The Artist is a novelty comedy done in black and white with no dialog and dramatic music instead of sound effects. It tells a simple story of the end of silent movies and a love story between a pretty young actress, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo,) and an older self-involved silent actor , George Valentin (Jean Dujardin,) who called himself, "The Artist," because he made only silent movies. 

Review: Once again the art movie world has pushed a 2nd rate film and larded it with awards.  How can we take "serious" movies seriously? (See my reviews for Melancholia and Tree of Life.)

The Artist  is a romantic comedy -- with the b/w silent movie gimmick on top. For a few minutes it was interesting that I could see the whole story from lip reading and the overacting of the actors to convey emotions silently.

There were some charming and funny parts. In the early movie, George Valentin, is likable because he is so cheerful and laughs so heartily. Later he becomes brooding, overly-serious, and unlikeable. 

There are several scenes that are clever from a directing point of view, especially the early dance scene on either side of the screen, and the drink spilled on the mirror.

Art Movies often have a serious purpose or an interesting character study, but The Artist has none of that.  It is novelty and film school exercise. It is only occasionally fun-to-watch.

Cast: Berenice Bejo, Jean Dujardin

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius 

Rating:   2.5 + stars -- I don't recommend it, and it does not have anything to say, but it is made with a lot of craft. It is also memorable. 

More: I saw all nine Best Picture nominees. This was the poorest.  

More: I was unimpressed, but my wife nearly walked out. She hated it. 

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