Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Film: The Artist






GENRE:
Romance/Comedy/Drama
RATING:
G for mild thematic material
RUNTIME:
1 hour and 40 minutes
STARRING: Jean Dujardin (bunch of French films)
Berenice Bejo (A Knight’s Tale) John Goodman (Big Lebowski)

DIRECTOR:
Michel Hazanavicius (some French films)
WRITER:
Michel Hazanavicius (some French films)
PLOT:
A silent movie star fades into the background as talkies are introduced and the women he once helped becomes a star.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1
This film is just so darn charming. It has this mix of fun and panache. You’re watching a silent film made in the style of classic 1920 movies but it still has a present day kick to it. I was pretty impressed.
2
Great acting in this film. Of course, without much dialogue, so much depends on facial expressions and actions. Dujardin is wonderful as a Douglas Fairbanks-like ladies man; so suave yet emotional. Bejo is full of pizzazz. Goodman is fun to watch as the silent film director. A simply amazing cast.
3
Bejo reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore. When she arrives at the studio lot I half expected her to throw her hat in the air.
4
There is this fantastic scene that makes sudden use of foley sound effects. It is so fun to watch and hear. Beautifully done.
5
Amazing but true, Uggie the Dog (Water for Elephants) almost steals the entire picture. Way to play dead. Eat your heart out Eddie (Frasier)

RECOMMENDATION:
Theatre for the experience
UPCOMING REVIEWS:
Oscar Predictions

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