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The Artist
Michel Hazanavicius
(2011)
96min
PG Certificate
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Review
Our Score
by
Alan Jones
Just like they did in their French
OSS 117
spy spoofs, director Michel Hazanavicius and star Jean Dujardin perfectly evoke an authentic period and style in this remarkable re-creation of Hollywood's silent movie era. Filmed in black and white, in the squarer Academy ratio, with only the briefest and cleverest dips into sound (the intertitles are in English), this evocation of Tinseltown on the eve of
The Jazz Singer
is a film buff feel-good joy. Dujardin's charm (he was named best actor at Cannes 2011 and at the Oscars) is successfully harnessed as matinée idol George Valentin, whose career nosedives with the arrival of the talkies. Meanwhile vivacious Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who joins one of his movies as an extra, finds her star rising as the studios look for fresh talent with attractive voices. Embracing the techniques and look of the times, and paying homage to numerous silent classics and
Citizen Kane
, this loving, warm pastiche is a sheer delight.
Summary
A 1920s movie actor is smitten with a chorus girl he meets by chance, and helps arrange her big break in the film industry. She rises from extra to headline star, but the advent of sound leaves his career in ruins, as he finds himself unable to adapt to the changing nature of screen acting. Oscar-winning silent drama, starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and John Goodman.
Cast & Crew
George Valentin
Jean Dujardin
Peppy Miller
Bérénice Bejo
Clifton
James Cromwell
Doris
Penelope Ann Miller
The Butler
Malcolm McDowell
Constance
Missi Pyle
Peppy's maid
Beth Grant
Peppy's butler
Ed Lauter
Al Zimmer
John Goodman
Admiring woman
Nina Siemaszko
Director
Michel Hazanavicius
see more
Other Information
Language:
English
Black and white
Theatrical distributor:
Entertainment
Available on:
DVD and Blu-ray
Released on:
30 Dec 2011
Drama
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