The Artist (2011)

From the flapper dresses to the whimsy dance numbers, The Artist is a shining moment in the history of cinema; bringing back to life the many classic attributes of a silent film from the late 1920's. The rise and fall of silent film is mixed in with a tender love story while we marvel at the unconventional usage of the style that has been redundant for almost a century.

Set in the period between the late 1920's and the early 1930's, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a steadfast star in silent film Hollywood. Wallowing in his glory, he neglects his lonely wife and spends most of his time with his dog or on the film set. At the premier of his newest film, he bumps into Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), who's a dancer looking for her big break in the film industry. The paparazzi and reporters are all over them once she gives George a kiss, printing in the next day paper a headline "Who's That Girl?". From there on it's a chain reaction that leads from one thing to the next. Peppy then auditions to be a dancing extra in another Valentin film in which they kindle a spark of chemistry and possibly a mutual love for each other. She eventually gets the job with the help of George, but the chair of the studios has some momentous news to share with Valentin. He warns him of the new fad which is the talkies, but George in his own pride, incredulously rejects such a notion and continues to only devote himself to silent films. In the coming years Peppy flourishes in the industry by securing bigger roles and soon enough becomes a mainstream star, gracing the silver screen to much avail and success. George however sinks lower and lower in his depression, realizing he was wrong in denying the future of film while chasing continuous success in no man's land. After his wife leaves him and the stock market crash forces him to sell all his furniture and move to a smaller apartment, he resorts to excessive intake of alcohol and inactivity. His only beacon of hope is Peppy, who is fully aware of his receding role in the industry and the relapse he endures in a fit of rage and confusion. Will she be too late to save his life and bring his legend back to the mind's of the public, or will George devour himself in his current state of oblivion.

I was impressed by the undeniable determination of the director, Michel Hazanavicius to shoot this picture as closely to a traditional silent film as he possibly could. From the opening credits to the quality of the black and white imagery, it is definitely nothing like we've ever seen before in this century and nothing short of the magic that silent films brought to people in their heyday. Because it is intended to be a silent film, the music and acting needs to set the tone so the audience connects with it and this film did just that to the peak of perfection. In most movies you have sound and voices to listen to but here, you need to rely on your eyes and ears to understand the mood of the characters and the situation. It makes the film a little more interactive for the viewers and lets them know how others felt while watching films of this nature in the portrayed period. The quirky, vigorous movements of the actors was also a very big part of bringing back to life this extinct genre and it's really one of those one-of-a-kind pictures that you will be talking about for years to come.

As to the moral of the story, it's truly about the fickle lives of performers in the film industry. One day, you shine as the biggest star in the business, and the next you're sitting in a run down apartment looking at pictures of the next big thing. It exposes the truths of the entertainment industry and how it chews you up and spits you out if that is all you live by. You have to be strong in the head and accept the changes that come your way, using your experience from the past to pave your future. It's true that new talent comes and goes but you can still be part of it if you comply with their rules and the perpetual changes that slap you in the face. The character of George couldn't deal with change and so it led to his deterioration and demise from the public eye as well as his line of work.

It's also meant to be a lighthearted love story between the new face of cinema and the forgotten legend of silent film. Although at first it may seem that the story is only about George's character, as you read between the lines, everything at the end becomes clearer about his relationship with Peppy. He did her a favor by convincing the head of the company to cast her in her first role, which was a crucial point in her blossoming career; and she saved his life by taking care of him and securing him a role in one of her movies. Their love of the arts ultimately transcends into their love for one another. It's during the hardest moments of life that you find who are your real friends and Peppy turned out to be a true friend apart from his beloved dog and chauffeur. Despair was always by his side since the shift the world has taken, but George's friends managed to save his mind from it just in time to get him back up and working.

I warn you of the possible tapping your feet will be doing while watching this film; and its content is much more dramatic than you may think. A climactic moment will come in the story that will shock you and make your heart race but other than that it's a phenomenal tribute to the origins of modern film. Outstanding, wonderful, and groundbreaking are the words to describe The Artist.