The Artist (2011)

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius

Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Béjo, John Goodman

Running time: 100 minutes

The crossover from silent movies to what Hollywood referred to then as “talkies” was not a smooth one for everyone involved. Some actors and actresses had the looks but not the voice. Others were simply not willing to evolve with the times.

That part of history is at the base of this 2011 film that star French and American actors and actresses. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is big star in silent movies, but, as the new era of talking movies is being ushered in, his career goes on a downward spiral. Peppy Miller (Bérénice Béjo), a young starlet, is the new sensation in Hollywood. Her star is on the rise and she becomes a big celebrity with the talking movies. The Artist has those two meeting while they’re going in opposite directions.

A silent black and white film about silent films could have been a tough sell in this day and age of fast-paced action and short attention spans, but The Artist was so beautifully directed and the actors were so great that the response from the public and critics was awesome. This film is a great piece of artistry and the actors involved all do a wonderful job with it. Jean Dujardin has that kind of face that does not even need to utter a word to charm the people. And his silver screen chemistry with Béjo is undeniable. No wonder so many awards were won, both in the States and in Europe. This is a movie to see.

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