[xrr rating=5/5]
Silence is bliss.
“The Artist” is the best silent film I have ever seen! There, I said it!
Now, is “The Artist” the best movie I have ever seen? Hmmm, that’s a tough one.
I have seen many, many films in my lifetime, but to see a movie with such heart, such pizzazz, and such originality? Well, they come few and far between.
I think “Star Wars” was that type of movie. Granted, I hadn’t seen that many movies when “Star Wars” came out. Heck, I was only seven. But what “Star Wars” did for science-fiction, I think “The Artist” will do for silent films.
Ok, ok, do I think silent films are making a big comeback? Heck no! But I love how this movie was made. I love how it harkened back to an era where movies were the most glamourous entertainment out there. And I love that this film transported me back to the 1920’s and made me feel like I fit right in.
Movies can take you anywhere – and this movie took me on a magnificant journey through a wonderful period of movie making history.
The story takes place in Hollywood in the 1920’s. The great silent movie star of the time is George Valentin (splendidly portrayed by French actor, Jean Dujardin).
George is loved by millions of fans, especially the ladies. He makes the gals weak in the knees. He also make great silent films and is on the top of his game.
One day while he’s on the set of a new movie, he befriends a beautiful young lady who’s trying to break into showbiz. Her name is Peppy Miller (played by one of the most beautiful women on the planet, Berenice Bejo).
Their chemistry is great. But don’t worry, it’s very professional. George is a married man!
Anyway, they film their movie and end up going their seperate ways.
A few years roll by and a major kick to the head is lined up for George. Movies are moving in a different direction. They’re getting sound added to them. In the movie, these films are called “Talkies.”
Like they say in a lot of businesses, “Out with the old and in with the new.” And that is exactly what happens to poor old George.
Meanwhile, back on the soundstage, Peppy Miller is just killing it! This girl quickly becomes the Julia Roberts of her era. “Talkies” have been good to her. Everyone loves Peppy, and Peppy loves everyone!
Sadly, George is on his way down. And happily, Peppy is on her way up.
Now, the story flows along like a clear mountain stream. It doesn’t slow down at all, or rage forward to quickly. It cruises along at a pair of fives (55), the perfect speed.
You know what? I think I’m telling you the movie like it’s my ninth grade book report for school. I don’t want to tell you the entire movie. I want you to see it and enjoy it just the way I did. Sometimes I think I should tell you the plot and the next thing you know, I’m halfway into the movie! And I am very sorry about this.
No worries though, I have just scraped the surface of this stupendous film.
What I do want to tell you is, the acting in this film is the best acting I’ve seen in a long time (not including “Transformers”… Alright, that’s a joke). In silent films, you must overact. And they do overact. And it works perfectly. You have to get your point across without words, and overemphasizing seems to work quite well. I loved being able to just watch these two characters’ facial expressions and totally know what they were saying and how they felt without hearing them. Bravo to the actors.
There were a few American actors in the film that you may know too. John Goodman was in it. Penelope Ann Miller was too. And James Cromwell was also in it. If you’re not familiar with who James Cromwell is, then he’s the scientist from the movie “IROBOT” who invented the “three laws” that every robot had to obey. That movie also starred Will Smith, A.K.A. “The Fresh Prince.” Yeah, it pretty much always comes back to science-fiction for me.
So is “The Artist” the best movie I’ve ever seen? I will never be able to definitively answer that question. But there are a handful of films in my head that are way up there, and I think “The Artist” just jumped into that breadbasket in my brain. This movie was out-of-this-world great! And it wasn’t even science-fiction!
I must give props to the director too, I never really seem to give credit to directors. So Michel Hazanavicius, my hat’s off to you. You created a WONDERFUL film. I think you should win “Best Picture.” Unfortunately, I don’t have a vote this year, so you’re on your own.
SEE THIS FILM!
Thank you.
Matty W. Kelley
Fun Fact: In 1929, “Wings” won the very first “Best Picture” Oscar, AND was the only SILENT film to ever win it (the movie was actually made in 1927).
Fun Matty Fact: I use to love “Lowell” on the TV show “Wings.”