Last years big Oscar winner The Artist, which won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Score, and Costume Design, is a film that harkens back to the golden age of cinema. I have heard that a lot of people feel indifferent about watching this film, as a silent black and white motion picture seems boring and dated, yet The Artist is a beautifully written story that is quite the opposite.
Despite the lack of dialogue, the film has a strong storyline. Basically, we follow two main characters, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a silent movie superstar whose career starts to crumble with the new trend of ‘talkies’, and Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a young actress who gains fame in accidental fashion through Valentin and becomes the next big Hollywood actress in this new era which features actual talking. Despite their divergent paths, there is always passion between these two characters. The motion picture is primarily a romance, yet it layers in a good deal of comedy and drama as well.
There were a few things that I loved about this film. It brought me back to a time long since past, where features were shown in movie theatres that were architecturally stunning and provided the viewer with an experience that seemed more than special. Locations such as Cornwall’s Capitol Theatre and The Port (previously called The Roxy), had elements such as red mohair seats that were made to last a lifetime, ornate balconies, and beautifully constructed entrances with carved furniture and architectural flourishes. It is a shame that Cornwall lost its Capitol Theatre which has now been relegated to memory, as cinemas like these create the kind of magical atmosphere that The Artist was able to translate into feeling as it unfolded on the screen.
The other thing that this movie does so well is find ways to pay homage to classic cinema. For those of you who are film aficionados, look for some tributes woven into the tapestry of the movie. From Billy Wilder’s The Apartment, to Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, to Singing In The Rain, plus a musical ode to Bernard Herrmann’s score from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, this film idolizes classic cinema moments with its own twist.
The Artist is an artfully shot film with stunning music and sound – pay special attention to the moment when George Valentin first hears noise. It captures the vintage authenticity of old Hollywood by shooting at Eagle Rock Substation, Bradbury Building, Los Angeles Theatre, Orpheum Theatre and many other historic locations. Despite the two leads being unknown, enjoy the great supporting cast which includes many eminent American and British actors such as John Goodman, James Cromwell and Malcolm McDowell. In the end, you’ll laugh, cry, and be moved, perhaps silently, by this lovely film.