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| Dujardin and Bejo |
A silent film's homage to Hollywood's silent age...that's what the much lauded movie The Artist is essentially about, and I must admit the Star is Born story of the career demise of the silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) took a bit of getting used to as the story cracked on a pace backed only by a jaunty orchestral score by composer Ludovic Bource.
But I did get use to it, and was, in fact, won over completely by the wonderfully engaging central performance by Dujardin ( who amazingly resembles a swaggering Gene Kelly) He charms the pants off the audience and does so effortlessly without really saying a word!
The film's pivotal scene seals the deal when Valentin meets spunky starlet Peppy Miller ( an equally engaging Bérénice Bejo) As they film take after take of a seemingly innocuous on screen dance sequence, the two characters start to fall in love, and it is this rather sweet and incredibly moving and powerful sequence that gives the movie it's heart, for as well as being a clever homage to the visual tricks of Hollywood, it is, in fact a simple and beguiling love story, that is well worth watching
9/10
And a clever canine co-star never does any harm either...
ReplyDeleteWe attend a performance each year of an original silent movie with live piano accompaniment...I was wondering how this would measure up.
ReplyDeleteJane x
9/10? Must be worth a peek.
ReplyDeleteJust so long as it doesn't start a trend of parodies such as Tom Cruise as the new Harold Lloyd.
I think it's charm lies in it's French roots....
ReplyDelete;-)
ReplyDeleteI so want to see this! I hope husband can leave the house soon...
ReplyDeleteI had thought i'd go see this. I'll have to see if it's still playing nearby.
ReplyDeleteThanks to your review, i see it'll be worth the trip.
megan
It makes you wonder how many takes Fred Astaire took over some of his very long un-cut sequences. Not too many methinks. 9/10 encourages me to venture out.
ReplyDeleteSo you finally got around to seeing it! ;-) And what a charmer it is.
ReplyDeleteNo mention of Uggie, though?!
It seems to get mixed reviews - loved or loathed - but in relation to cinema I would rather trust a Welsh chicken farmer than that awful Claudia Winkleman.
ReplyDeleteOh those 'French roots'!
ReplyDeleteJean Dujardin won me over instantly! His smile was absolutely infectious and I was grinning from ear to ear by the end of the very first scene. It may not be the best film of 2011, but it certainly is worth a viewing.
ReplyDeleteI always make sure I watch all of the Oscar contender movies but I haven't had the chance this year. I have, however, watched Uggy the dog in a few interviews and to tell you the truth that Jack Russell is the main reason why I'd want to see the movie. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read your comments John as a friend went to see it and found that everyone on her row had gone to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI loved this film too...so clever, so well done...amazing how much emotion can be conveyed without words...
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