Movie Review: The Artist

The Artist

PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed By

Michel Hazanavicius

Written By

Michel Hazanavicius

Genres

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Main Actors: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell

Easy on the eyes factor: 10 Everything about this movie was beautiful, especially Berenice Bejo. Her smile, facial expressions, and movements were infectious and priceless. The leading actor Jean Dujardin is a very handsome leading man. The set was nostalgic and looked just like the sets of the 20s and 30s.

30 Minute Rule: You get into this movie right away. I think because it's a silent film, you keep your eyes on the screen for any clues that might help you understand what's going on. It was very effective.

Plot: Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

My Review: I told my friends that I would never see this movie. Never! There was no way that me and my A.D.D. could sit through a silent, black & white movie for almost 2 hours. Quite the contrary. I did not want to turn it off and I feared the ending was coming every 20 minutes. Needless to say, the movie was pretty amazing.

As I mentioned, the leading actress Berenice Bejo was extremely beautiful. Her face captivated the screen and she was very easy to love by all. The way she flirted with the camera with winks, smiles and hair flips made my heart flutter. She was stellar. The leading man, Jean Dujardin is a very handsome actor and he knows how to make his looks work. In the film, he's very impressed with himself and he makes all the facial expressions to show it. Great performances by John Goodman as the studio executive and James Cromwell as the butler.

The storyline was easy to follow. It actually became quite tragic, especially when they tied in the stock market crash of 1929. You feel so sorry for the main character and it makes it difficult to celebrate Peppy Miller's success. Nevertheless, the film is fun to follow along and it's delightfully challenging to try and figure out without words and sound. I think everyone can enjoy this movie. Our grand and great-grandparents would be proud.

Rating: 8 of 10