For months I have been desperately waiting to catch sight of Michael Hazanavicius' The Artist. Presented in black and white and without the use of spoken verb the film takes us back to the age before 'talkies'. The end result is quite remarkable as I sat and witnessed one of the most creative, complete and entertaining films of the year.
Forced to convey a message without the use of sound director Michael Hazanavicius does a miraculous job with his actors. Jean Dujardin stars as George Valentin, a popular silent film star who is at the top of his game during 1927, But as the arrival of talking pictures begins to beckon, George questions his future in the industry. Throw in a unique relationship with a dancer set on getting her big break and the life around Valentin is about to change drastically.
While much of the film focuses in on Dujardin's performance the rest of the cast delivers quite remarkably as well. Berenice Bejo plays his love interest and future star of vocal films Peppy Miller. Their on-screen chemistry is simply undeniable, but the talent doesn't stop there. John Goodman, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller all delivery fantastic performances, giving the film the unique trait of featuring a fully talented cast.
The film overall is a true work of art. Everyone involved shows a deep respect for the lost art of silent filmmaking, and the way that it has all come together is something quite magical. The story is creatively crafted, the black and white photography shimmers, and the immaculate details showcased allows us to drift back to a time when entertainment was earned, not expected. The entire production creates a nostalgia that only true film fans can understand, ultimately placing The Artist as one of my all time favorite films. Yes, it is simply that good.
