The Artist

The Artist

Directed by Machel Hazanavicius

With Jean DuJardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, and

John Cromwell

“The Artist,” an all new silent film in black and white, is as much fun as any ‘talkie.’ This utterly delightful film doesn’t need words to tell its story. French Director and writer Michel Hazanavicius  has composed a love letter to the past. The time is 1927 and we find matinee idol George Valentin (Jean DuJardin) on top of the world. He is a silent film star with a thousand-watt smile, starring in everything from adventure films to romances. His loyal Jack Russell terrier (Uggi) accompanies him wherever he goes. One day he literally bumps into Peppy (Berenice Bejo), a walk-on extra. The sparks fly. And he takes her under his wing, getting her successively larger parts in his films.  

But then it is 1929. Not only is the stock market about to crash, but so is Valentin. The studio Boss (John Goodman) has noticed Peppy and has also decided that the future of film is in the “talkies.” Peppy gets the starring roles, but Valentin wants nothing to do with these new kind of movies.

He finances his own silent film, which is a colossal flop. His fortunes crumble.

Valentin is now a “has been,”  and quickly discovers his own insignificance. Peppy is the exciting new star du jour. The scenes of Valentin losing his self esteem and his fortunes are cleverly realized and acted with a poignancy that will surely tug at your heartstrings. As much as Valentin suffers, Peppy’s stardom accelerates. Nonetheless, he longs for her and she has never forgotten his kindnesses to her. 

“The Artist” is not a totally silent film. Aside from some printed subtitles, there is a musical score as well as several spoken words. But dialogue is irrelevant because the silence speaks volumes.  Both Jean DuJardin and Bernice Bejo give flawless performances, never overacting. A film such as “The Artist” could have been done in a campy manner, but the lead performances are just right.

For people who are familiar with silent film, “The Artist” serves up a nostalgia that is nearly painful. There is a sense of a longing for the innocence and simplicity reflected in that medium: free of the murmur of voices, the clinking of glassware , the blaring of horns, the racket of car chases, the cacophony of life. That “The Artist” is in black and white makes it all the more reminiscent of that bygone era. It seems we have lost much with the technology and sophistication of modern filmmaking.

Director Michel Hazanavicius has made it possible for us to take a joyous and fun-filled journey to the past. You will surely embrace the experience as also the most delightful and exciting film to come our way in a long time. This charming film gives us a joyous journey to the past.