The Artist (2011)

I didn’t even know anybody had the guts to do a movie like this. Well, if somebody did, it would be the French. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the French. They give us great cinema (sometimes), croissants, Paris, the Statue of Liberty, and epic accents, and probably some stuff that matters too (I don’t keep up with politics). But I make fun of the French the same way I make fun of Sam Raimi and his colleagues-they will try everything. And only the French can try to make a modern-day silent movie. Yes, there are two scenes with sound, and they’re both handled perfectly, but about 90% or so of this film is silent, with nothing but a score running in the background. There are some cards which say what the characters are saying, but this is only used when there are things that needed to be known. I say this because it’s frustrating the first ten minutes of the film going “What are they saying? I don’t know!” and then it sinks in that it doesn’t matter. The biggest accomplishment this film has is that it makes you forget you’re watching a silent film. Starring Oscar-nominated actor (maybe a winner?) Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, this movie chronicles his life as a silent film star that is slowly brought down to nothing, and all the time his life works in sync with that of rising starlet Peppy Miller (another Oscar-contender and wife of the director Bérénice Bejo), who is coming into replacing George’s role as the king/queen of Hollywood when the transition to sound is made. Along with this relatively simple story is a wonderful film, with wonderful moments, and wonderful scenes, and wonderful energy, and OH MY GOD a wonderful score (another Oscar nominee/could-be winner). I mean, in all honesty, this movie is made like a Woody Allen film-simple, sweet, and magical. And the direction by director and husband of Bérénice Bejo (nice job buddy) Michael Hazanavicius (never ask me to pronounce that) is wonderful and also a possible Oscar winner (this movie and Hugo are topping the nominations), and possibly a deserved one. This entire movie is overflowing with talent, wonderful songs, music, direction, acting, and just a purely wonderful film. I absolutely adore this film, and when I publish my top 20 best/worst of 2011 list, I will have this pretty dang close to the top (I will post the list on my www.spill.com page, and link to it when I see and review the film A Separation, which is my last ‘must-see’ movie of the year before I make my list, and then that’ll be there. What a formal way to end a review).
9.5/10