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"The Artist" proves silence is golden
Shot almost entirely without sound, the black-and-white drama "The Artist" is a bold and imaginative work of cinema that may be overlooked by many filmgoers.
In an age increasingly dominated by digital projection and 2D giving way to 3D sensory overload, filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius (OSS 117) has bucked the system by stepping back into the past. His black-and-white silent film The Artist exudes a feeling of nostalgia with a wonderful story about the collapse and rise of a prideful silent film star.
It’s 1927, and popular silent actor George Valentin (Jean Dujardin, OSS 117) is in attendance for his newest swashbuckler, A Russian Affair. George is hamming it up for the paparazzi, when a fan named Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo, A Knight’s Tale, OSS 117) bumps into him.
After the incident lands her on the cover of Variety, George helps her get a role in her first film, over the objections of studio boss Al Zimmer (John Goodman), who’s nothing but a softie on the inside despite a gruff exterior. Unfortunately for George, while this move launches Peppy into stardom over the ensuing years, the advent of talkies brings an end to his own career. His demise is made even quicker by his refusal to swallow his pride.
By 1932, George has lost everything except his faithful dog. He has become an alcoholic and before long gives up on life altogether. The only person who can save him from himself is Peppy, whose attraction for him has never wavered.
Despite the distinct odor of nepotism from Hazanavicius’ decision to cast the mother of his two children as the female lead, The Artist shines as a bold and daring cinematic endeavor. Every little detail, right down to the lettering style of the opening credits, has the feel of a film from the 1920s. The pacing is consistent throughout and there is a nice blend of drama, romance, and some comedy.
A 2012 Golden Globe nominee for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy, Dujardin doesn’t just do a ham job in front of the cameras (like his character George is accused of doing in his movies). He makes a George believable character, emblematic of many silent-film actors who could not make the transition to talkies.
Bejo, who has also received a Golden Globe nomination, is a little too hammy herself at times with a role that’s not the most challenging in the history of cinema, yet she is still a delight to watch because of her own charming charisma.
The question remains: will the masses want to watch The Artist despite its generally positive reviews and Oscar buzz? Even though turning something old new again in this day and age is bold, the use of silence accompanied by orchestral music may have a limited appeal in the long run. Furthermore, most people don’t want to spend their time lip reading. However, The Artist is much more than just silence, and hopefully as the awards season progresses more potential filmgoers will realize this.
On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, The Artist receives an A.
The Artist is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 100 minutes.
Now showing through January 4 @
Glenwood Arts
9575 Metcalf
Overland Park, KS
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com, or call 913-642-4404 for more information.
Indie Film Editor
Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.
In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.
Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.
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