97% The Artist

Wow. I really can't think of anything bad to say about this movie. It was such a treat. It's really a remarkable film; it looks exactly as if it were made in, like, 1933: The sets, the costumes, the film techniques, the narrative style, the look and mannerisms of the actors, the lighting, the style of humour and the music all create the near-flawless illusion that this is a genuine product of old Hollywood. It's really really astounding, but you don't have to be an old-school film nerd to like it. Despite being peppered with references to cinema history (Garbo, the Hays Code), it's still really accessible, no matter what your tastes. It's amazing how it blends the showiness of a classical musical comedy with a genuinely emotional (which is at times gritty and tragic) story of the cinema world leaving behind its erstwhile most beloved star. Jean Dujardin is mesmerizing and really endearing as George Valentin, the eternal showman and star of the silent screen who feels increasingly alienated and obsolete in the face of sound cinema. He's a captivating character, a man whose practised fake smile looks exactly like his real one and therefore keeps whatever pain he feels close to his chest. Berenice Bejo is also terrific as Peppy Miller, the new(er) Hollywood starlet seemingly built for sound cinema. Miller quickly eclipses Valentin, making him bitter for having given her her start and making her feel guilty, as a fan of Valentin's from way back. The orbit of these characters around each other drives the film, as they have great affection and respect for each other - not to mention great chemistry - yet circumstance has placed them on either side of cinema's technical divide. Ugh! What a great movie. It works terrifically as a comedy, or as a musical, as a character drama and just as well as a curious and brilliantly successful experiment in cinematic form. I am so happy to have seen this in the theatre. Oh! I should also mention that it's almost completely silent, but it uses sound sparingly and playfully, and to wonderful narrative avail. I can't wait to see this again.

January 18, 2012

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_artist/

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