The Artist reviews

Every once in a while a movie blind sides when you least expect it, it sweeps you off your feet, it dazzles you, makes you smile, makes you feel al... read more

Every once in a while a movie blind sides when you least expect it, it sweeps you off your feet, it dazzles you, makes you smile, makes you feel all choked up on the inside, makes you believe in the beauty of cinema all over again. The Artist is one of those movies.

An ode to the silent-era of filmmaking, director Michel Hazanavicius labour of love, The Artist has garnered acclaim from around the globe. Its already won numerous awards and been nominated for 10 Oscars, so naturally expectations must be sky-high and for that very rare occasion, the hype is justified. This movie will have even the most sceptical of us, clapping and cheering by the time the curtains fall. The manner in which the movie wins you over is nothing short of magical to say the least.

The plot concerns the downfall of a silent era actor, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) whose successful career is suddenly put in jeopardy by the advent of talkie cinema. His downfall contrasts the rise of actress, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) who ironically gets noticed amongst the crowd of hundreds thanks to a moment of serendipity with George. As George plummets to new lows, Peppys stock rises and as the world welcomes the new with much fanfare, it forgets the old as if they never existed. Peppy however doesnt forget George and at various points tries to pull him out of his freefall. Will George ever accept the changes the world brings? Will he rise like the phoenix again? The show will still go on folks...

Michel Hazanavicius expertly mimics the technical styling of the silent-era films and doesnt merely use it as a gimmick but faithfully recreates sets, camera angles, costumes and even mannerisms adorably. You will be transported to the era and the golden age of filmmaking effortlessly. The music grows on you, accentuating the onscreen happenings and breathing a life of its own in to the film.

The themes of the movie, particularly that of the advent of technology and how it renders the old obsolete, nicely compliments the very existence of the film.

While Jean Dujardin & Berenice Bejo slip into their characters like an old glove, the real star of the movie for me is Uggie the dog. Adorable doesnt even begin to describe Uggie and hes sure to be loved by all those who watch the film. Jean Dujardin has a great smile and expressive eyes which he uses to great effect along with the right body language that almost instantly reminds you of the stars of the silent-era. Berenice Bejo on the other hand lives upto her name in the film and is suitably peppy without looking like shes hamming it up. There are other recognisable names in the cast with small roles such as, John Goodman, Malcom McDowell & James Cromwell.

The Artists greatest strength is its simplicity and how without dialogue it manages to weave a tale that manages to touch your heart and thrill your visceral senses. Its a love letter of the highest calibre to the golden era of cinema; dont miss it for the world.
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it takes a few minutes for the fact to sink in that the next two hours would have no dialogues and just action on screen. Once the initial awkwardn... read more

it takes a few minutes for the fact to sink in that the next two hours would have no dialogues and just action on screen. Once the initial awkwardness is done with, The Artist dazzles beyond compare, as one marvels at the guts and vision of its makers to attempt something this brave in our times.

George Valentin is an aging superstar of the silent era whose pride makes him dismiss the advent of talkies as a mere fad that wouldn't last. "They come to see me, not to hear me" he says, unable to see that his resistance to change would be his downfall. Peppy Miller is an extra who seizes the opportunity to rise and shine with the talking motion pictures, even as George is on a steady path to penury and decline. George's fight with his own pride and Miller's love for him form the crux of this delightful piece of cinema.

Made completely sans color and voice except for the very climax, The Artist is deceptively simple. Without a single dialogue, the movie beautifully pus across the importance of being able to adapt and survive in life. Director Michel Hazanavicius creates an engaging and layered narrative with subtle nuances and old world romance in it without any gimmickry of of today's 3D technologically advanced films. The plot is simple, the story line predictable, yet an innate charm seeps through, not to forget the immense energy and exuberance of the silent era that is splendidly captured.

The film, however belongs to Jean Dujardin, playing George, and Brnice Bejo playing Peppy. Their task is difficult, emoting without words, at the cost of looking overly exaggerated, yet both put in sterling performance.

Jean lives the role, with his warm and benevolent starry airs, while Brnice covers the graph of a rising starlet to a diva with finesse. George's aversion to talking extends to his personal life, with he refusing to even talk to his wife about their troubled marriage. Peppy's energy and love for George is boundless, taking care of him even in his darkest hour and giving him hope. Together, Jean and Brnice bring out such subtle shades in their roles with elan, making it one of the most refined performances in recent times.

The Artist is an ode to silent cinema and the art of silence. It takes the side of silent era, emphasizing the fact that cinema was never about loud hue and cry. Art, as well as the artist, needs to be seen more and heard less.

Exceedingly tender and unabashedly funny and irresistibly romantic, The Artist is an exquisitely crafted cinematic gem. Do not miss this one at any cost.

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Silence is golden. So it is little wonder that The Artist is picking up gold not just at the box-office but at award functions too. It is the kind ... read more

Silence is golden. So it is little wonder that The Artist is picking up gold not just at the box-office but at award functions too. It is the kind of film that slowly drawly you in and before you know it, you are thinking about it long after the "the end" sign comes on. You stay with The Artist and it stays with you.

The story is so simple yet one that many an actor have gone through in their lifetime; what happens when your star begins to wane? The fact that it is about a silent movie star and the film is shot in that genre adds an extra sheen to its golden era gloss. Everything is so organic that after the initial irritation of watching a movie with no dialogues, you begin to feel every smile, every sigh, every emotion. Yet the film never takes itself too seriously. There is a good dosage of insider jokes that make you chuckle at the cleverness of it all.

Jean Dujardin is every bit the leading man, if there ever was one. He's handsome, has an amazing screen presence and the body language to rival Charlie Chaplin. He looks as if transported by some time machine, preserved and brought today for our viewing pleasure. Berenice Bejo as the young starlet on the rise dazzles on screen. She has been snubbed at many awards but it is an omission that is hugely influenced by an already larger-than-life leading man. But honestly, if Dujardin is the life of the film, she definitely is its soul. A special mention for the dog in the film. He's already picked up a Canine Palme at Cannes and will pick up many hearts too.

Michel Hazanavicius as the director and screenwriter gives us one truly memorable film. His technique, choice of shots and an overall vision of the film is what makes The Artist. You need a smart head on those shoulders to be able to deliver a product of such substance and fine execution. He once again proves that the French do it differently than they do in America. He makes you get up and take notice as he pays homage to an era gone by.

With all these accolades and reviews, The Artist is a must watch for every movie buff. A little word of warning for the Indian audiences; go in the film with an open mind because only then will you truly appreciate the art in The Artist. 4 stars


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Critics call it an ode to the bygone era of cinema and a risk well taken in the time of special effects, graphics and multi dimensional world of mo... read more

Critics call it an ode to the bygone era of cinema and a risk well taken in the time of special effects, graphics and multi dimensional world of movies. The Artist with an over the top background score which becomes so rattling at certain points in the film and a story which is pretty predictable from the very beginning seems nothing but a collaborated version of ripped apart pieces of various classics. Yes it holds you to the screen but a story of fame, ruin and being back in the business is what we have witnessed, heard now over unmentionable times. The only likable thing apart from the magnificent performance by Jean Dujardin was how the main lead is resistant to the change of silent films into the talkies which later becomes the root of his ruin. On the other hand Peppy Miller played by Brnice Bejo is a junior artist who rises to fame and has deep admiration for George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) since the very beginning. Just because you make a silent, black and white film with a cliche story you manage to come in the limelight. The performances are applaudible but its the veteran outlook of the film which makes it stand out. I wonder why the world doesn't demand creativity. I am sure with the artist having five oscars now its kitty, we are going to see a hoard of silent films coming our way. We are living in a world of sheep where people follow what is exaggerated, there are lack of actual opinions that surround us today. The opinions about the artist are not formed from the experience of the film but from the air that has been all around it.
So one should go and watch a decent attempt made by Michel Hazanavicius but its nothing impeccable. view less

This movie is probably the most talked about movie right now. Even people who haven't watched it have formed the opinion that it is a really good m... read more

This movie is probably the most talked about movie right now. Even people who haven't watched it have formed the opinion that it is a really good movie because it is a silent movie in a time of talkies (which is ironic because the movie is about the shift from silent movies to talkies) and because of the Oscar win.

It is not a bad movie. In fact it is very engaging, and the lead actor does a BRILLIANT job. Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, a big star of the silent era of movies who is unable to adapt to changing times is ONE BIG REASON why this movie can be revisited again.

But the disappointment lies in the storyline, which is predictable. The movie is all about changing times and a major part of the movie has Dujardin struggling to revive silent movies in a time when talkies have become the new big thing. This is a great concept, yet the movie fails to have any impact on you. At the end of the day it is just a rare silent movie in a time of talkies because of which it attracts plenty of eyeballs.

It is definitely worth watching once, and maybe even twice for the lead actor.

P.S. The background score is so annoying, thank god its a silent movie!
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i must watch this movie