Make no mistake about The Artist…this film was conceived and developed to win awards. As I watched this film, I couldn't help but muse about the process that went into the development of a film designed with the Oscars in mind. At the same time, I became engrossed in the intricacies of this film. Knowing that this film was designed to win awards does not lower my opinion of it. The Artist may very well have been the best film I watched in 2011.
The Artist is a film that tips its hat to the “Golden Era” of film. The film uses a brilliant combination of musical soundtrack, sound and dialogue panels (intertitles) to present a silent film that celebrates the medium. The cinematic quality of this film encompasses high definition black and white, carefully orchestrated instrumentals and some cheeky sound elements that highlight the changing times in an era when the “talkies” ushered in a new generation of talent. Throw in awesome characters and an incredible canine, and you have an instant classic. This film has a story, but it is almost secondary to the art? The story was strong, but the mechanical aspects of this film were brilliant. It's a "love letter" to the era.
When it comes to film, I tend to complain about style over substance, so I guess I need to address the actual story. After watching the trailers, I figured I already knew the whole story. My biggest fault with this film is that they gave away too much of the plot during the trailers. However, they saved some of the good stuff and the story ended up being much better than the trailers indicated. It is a story of Hollywood’s early “changing of the guard.”
George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is King of the Silver Screen. His silent films are action-packed adventures that are accompanied by a live orchestra. Valentin is larger than life, with an ego that thrives on attention. His pride is evident as he hams it up at the premiere of his latest film. After the debut, the actor bumps into a young fan and turns the encounter into more personal publicity. The fan, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), is inspired by her encounter to audition with Valentin’s studio. Valentin has an odd chemistry with the aspiring actress and provides her the tip that sets her apart from the other actresses.
As Peppy rises to stardom, the movie industry moves from silent film to talkies. In the process, legends like Valentin are left behind. Throw in the stock market crash and Valentin is quickly “washed up,” his pride preventing him from appreciating the good deeds that are done on his behalf. As Valentin struggles with his own failure to adapt, Peppy never forgets where she came from. The pair will continue to cross paths as each find they are connected to the other. And that’s a wrap.
Prior to screening this film, I sort of felt this film would be an artsy film designed to win awards with style, while lacking substance. I was very wrong on that point. The Artist gives us engaging characters that manage to reach past their inability to speak directly to us and still create a connection. I found that I actually cared about the characters (especially the dog). The presentation was unique enough to further enhance the story. What the story lacked in punch, it made up for in nostalgic drama and comedic timing that was impeccable. The lack of speaking was overcome with sparingly placed intertitles and a soundtrack that informed the story. I was amazed at how carefully timed the soundtrack was to allow a full complement to the story. The integration of the parts was flawless, making this film nothing short of cinematic magic.
I enjoyed the performances, which included smaller parts by John Goodman, who plays crotchety Director Al Zimmer. James Cromwell adds an interesting dimension as Valentin’s loyal driver, Clifton. But this film hinges on the performances of Dujardin and Bejo. To convey an innocent chemistry between the pair without dialogue did not seem to challenge them. They both gave convincing performances that almost felt like either actor could walk off the screen at any moment. The performances conveyed incredible details with minimal dialogue. The performances, like the music and cinematography were flawless. Every detail of this film seemed carefully crafted to perfection.
I was mesmerized by The Artist. The visual aspects of this film alone set it apart from anything else produced by Hollywood in 2011. While I enjoyed the film references in Hugo, The Artist goes beyond reference, enveloping the audience in the medium of silent film. I cannot imagine how this film could have been made any better. The soundtrack was carefully synced to the action and provided much of the intensity throughout the film, often substituting for placards with dialogue. I was relieved to see that they used the dialogue boxes sparingly, allowing the performances and music to tell the story. Every aspect of this film, from editing to music to performances, was exceptional. This film was nominated for nearly 200 awards. Ten of them Oscars, with five wins (to include Best Motion Picture). None of that is surprising to me. If you haven't seen this film, find it streaming and rent it. 9.5/10.
