The Artist is a silent film, and it was, needless to say, the only silent movie playing when I walked into the theater this afternoon. This was very cool because, being 22 years old and living in central Louisiana, I don't really get many opportunities to see a silent film on the big screen. I was pleasantly surprised with how the experience played out. Story-wise, The Artist's plot is very reminiscent of Singin' in the Rain: a tale of the transition from silent film to "talkies" and its subsequent upset in the balance of old Hollywood power. The story follows George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), an immensely popular silent film actor who is upstaged by the new generation of actors and struggles to cope with his life outside of the limelight. It's a classic story of a successful man's fall from grace and subsequent redemption. What makes it stand out from the countless others like it is entirely in the style.
From an acting perspective, this movie is unlike anything else you'll be seeing in theaters. Being a silent movie, the story has to be conveyed entirely through the movement and facial expression of the actors. And they all deliver. Dujardin is on point in showing Valentin's triumphs and pitfalls, and his supporting cast does an excellent job at sustaining the world in which he operates. Stylistically, the movie is all about evoking nostalgia. From the old practice of showing extended credits at the start of the film to the glamorous over-exaggeration of every emotion, The Artist is definitely an homage to the silent film era and the glamour of old Hollywood.
That being said, The Artist is more about the spectacle than anything else. Had the movie not been silent, it would have likely suffered for its cliche story and its campy style. The Artist is a well-crafted novelty, and should be treated as such, but it is not a movie that really brings anything new to the table . It is a unique movie-going experience, and a fun one, but it was really little more than that. I give it 7 over-exaggerated camera mugs out of 10.
From an acting perspective, this movie is unlike anything else you'll be seeing in theaters. Being a silent movie, the story has to be conveyed entirely through the movement and facial expression of the actors. And they all deliver. Dujardin is on point in showing Valentin's triumphs and pitfalls, and his supporting cast does an excellent job at sustaining the world in which he operates. Stylistically, the movie is all about evoking nostalgia. From the old practice of showing extended credits at the start of the film to the glamorous over-exaggeration of every emotion, The Artist is definitely an homage to the silent film era and the glamour of old Hollywood.
That being said, The Artist is more about the spectacle than anything else. Had the movie not been silent, it would have likely suffered for its cliche story and its campy style. The Artist is a well-crafted novelty, and should be treated as such, but it is not a movie that really brings anything new to the table . It is a unique movie-going experience, and a fun one, but it was really little more than that. I give it 7 over-exaggerated camera mugs out of 10.
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