Black and white silent films may just make a comeback based on the reaction the public has been having to 'The Artist.' As a tribute to the age of silent films, till their demise in 1927 with 'The Jazz Singer' (1927), the plot, characters, and design of the film must be formulaic -- reflecting the films of their day. Still, it is imaginative, engaging and totally entertaining.
We have the silent film star, George Valentin (Jean Dugardin), most recognizable in America for his James Bond take off in the 'OSS 117' films (2007, 2009), a compilation of heroes of that era, most strikingly Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. We have his dog (mostly played by Uggie who is now campaigning for a best non-human Academy Award® nomination [he's got my vote]) who epitomizes man's best friend, most obviously Asta in 'The Thin Man' series (1934 - obviously not a silent film franchise). We have the starlit, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) who is first star struck, then deeply in love, then the very guardian angel to our fading star, Valentin, as he find the transition to soundies impossible and Miller rises to fame.
Its echoes of all the 'A Star is Borns' (1937, 1954, 1976) are obvious, but the beauty of this film is in the details. What it lacks in dialogue, it makes up in demonstrative, yet not over, acting and a rich soundtrack by Ludovic Bource. The visual texture of film and use of shadows by cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman more than compensate for the lack of color. Especially magically moments, such as when Valentin and the audience hear the sound of a water glass being put on a table, startle and causes gasps of excitement. Okay, that was really cool and showed director/writer Hazanavicius invested more than an historic perspective only to this innovative film.
One question -- what was Malcolm McDowell doing in this film? Was a valid reason left on the cutting room floor or did he just show up on the set one day so they sat him on a bench while Bejo did her scene?
The Artist
Director/Writer: Michel Hazanavicius
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Uggie, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller
Time: 100 min.
Rating: PG-13
Opening December 2 at the Embarcadero in San Francisco
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