The silent cinema era produced works by artists like Chaplin and Keaton which are still beloved today, still funny today.This is conclusive proof, if it was needed, that great art and entertainment transcends technology and style. Be it the advent of sound, colour, Cinemascope, Technicolour, 3D (the first time), IMAX, digital effects, 3D (again), the basic ingredients of a decent film have remained the same. I was looking forward then to seeing The Artist, the much applauded hit from last year's Cannes festival and a silent film.
In 1927 Hollywood, Jean Dujardin plays George Valentin, a matinee idol of the silent era just as the industry moves to talking films. While his marriage is far from perfect, he has an adoring public and a pet dog which steals every scene in the film. One day while attending the premier of his latest film, he meets a young chorus girl called Peppy Miller played by the delightful Berenice Bejo and falls for her. As the years pass, the silent era is surpassed by the talkies and Peppy becomes a big star while a scrambling George invests the last of his wealth in another silent picture, unwilling to change with the times. As their paths diverge, George's marriage disintegrates along with his fortune and he finds himself and his canine companion living on the margins. He is even forced to dispense with the services of his loyal chauffeur played by James Cromwell. Peppy however has not forgotten him and seeks him out but not before he tries to burn down in his apartment in a fine action set piece centred around the wonder dog.
I didn't have any real expectations before viewing this and I can see why the idea of a silent film might turn off the average cinema goer but it would be a real loss as this is a masterful film combining the epic sweep of the silent era with modern humour and technique. It is a joy to watch writer and director Michel Hazanavicius tell a story without the use of dialogue. This is achieved with remarkable ease, marking this as the work of a gifted film-maker. The silence never feels forced or overbearing and it never detracts from telling the story. The tale itself to me bore strong similarities to the Barbra Streisand version of A Star is Born from 1976 but then that story has been told on screen at least 3 times so far. It is a simple tale of loss and regret with a love story at its core.
It is this love story which combined with comedic scenes carries the film to its conclusion. It is the kind of film that leaves you with a smile on your face. I couldn't complete this review without mention of the real star of the film, a dog named Uggie who without exaggeration manages to steal almost every scene in the film. He is at the centre of a very well acted set piece when George attempts to burn his house down and Uggie tries to attract help to save him. It is so well done, you will easily forget you are watching a silent film.
All in all, this film is a triumph. It manages to successfully pay homage to the silent era while remaining within the rigid boundaries of the form and telling an entertaining tale. It is funny, dramatic and heartwarming and is fully deserving of any rewards which come its way over the next few months.
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