The Times They Are A-Changin'

"The Artist"

They are so many aesthetic qualities to films nowadays that we take for granted.  Camera, editing, acting, and sound techniques all had to be invented and improved upon to tell motion picture stories.  The Artist focuses on the last technique mentioned, sound.  Prior to 1927 there was no recorded sound used in major motion pictures.  Many actors were unable to make the change from silent to sound films.  The Artist tells the story of one of these actors.

It's the 1920's and George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood.  The public adores him.  He enjoys being an actor has been able to make a very decent living from his work on the silver screen for quite some time.  Then something new comes along that takes George by surprise.  In a private screening room George is treated to a film with spoken dialogue coming from one of the actors on the screen.  He is taken aback but quickly brushes it off as merely a fad that won't last.  This is the future of film?  Yeah right.  

Sad to say though his star begins to fade.  Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo,) is the new rising star.  After a brief but memorable encounter with George at one his premieres, her face is in on the front page of newspaper in town.  Peppy is later cast in one of Mr. Valentin's pictures and so begins her ascent into stardom. She is able to make the transition to sound without any sort of hesitation.   The acceleration of recorded sound takes a toll on George and everything around him as he struggles with the changing times.  

FYI this is a silent film.  The dialogue that occurs on screen is presented through title cards.  Just remember that although we can't hear what the characters are saying doesn't mean that we're unable to understand what is happening.  Everyone in the cast does a marvelous job of conveying such strong emotions through their physical and facial expressions.  This may look like an easy task to do but think about it.  In the old days if you wanted to communicate anything on screen to the audience the actors had to use big, over exaggerated movements and expressions to get their message across.

Dujardin gives such a tender, mesmerizing, and heartbreaking performance.  To watch him take on this character is really something to see.  Our sympathies are with George every step of way.  The struggles that he is going through are very relatable for anyone who's ever felt they were being replaced by something else deemed as "better."  Dujardin also has that silent movie star look and quality about him.  He fits perfectly into the time and place of the film.

The Artist is a real gem of a film.  Come Oscar time this one is going to be hard to beat for Best Picture.  This is such a harmless, pleasant, crowd pleasing piece of cinema; it's hard to find any blemishes.  It's interesting that Scorsese's Hugo and this film were released in the same year.  They are both beautiful celebrations of cinema and showcase some quality filmmaking.  Director Michel Hazanavicius has a clear and passionate vision.  The sets, costumes, camera lens work, and especially the score are all period perfect taking us back to a different time of Hollywood, a more glorious time.  If at all possible try to catch this flick in a theater that still shows 35mm films.  If you listen closely enough you might be able to hear the sound of the projector running behind you which only enhances the experience.