Review: The Artist (Advance Review)

By Sean Knight

Four out of Four Stars ****

French film Director Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist is a wonderful homage to Hollywood of old.  It combines elements of melodrama, 30’s slapstick comedy and 40’s filmmaking sensibilities to create a black and white silent picture that was filmed in Hollywood with a half French and half American crew.  It’s a strange hybrid of creation, and one that probably shouldn’t work, but does.  It features two charismatic lead performances from French actors Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, not to mention a hilarious supporting turn from American actor John Goodman. Dujardin won the Best Actor Award earlier this year at the Cannes film festival and, with luck, may be able to pull off a similar feat in January.  Audiences around the world have been responding with overwhelming praise for the film and it’s easy to see why.  That Artist is a sweet and infectious movie.  It wears its emotions boldly on its sleeve and there is a love of the cinema oozing from every carefully crafted frame.

What makes the film work so well is it’s simplicity.  The Artist tells the story of a famed silent film star who has to face the oncoming storm of talking pictures.  It’s about his fall from grace and, of course, there is a love story thrown in to boot.  It’s something we have seen before, but never done quite like this.  The hodgepodge of film techniques and references helps keep the film fresh, as does the filmmakers commitment to accurately recreating a silent film.  He doesn’t have his actors’ ham it up or wink at the camera.  They stay true to their characters while also understanding that in silent film there is a certain exaggeration that comes along with conveying intention and emotions up on the screen.  There are a few moments where Hazanavicius gives slight nod to silent movie conventions, but it is never distracting or obtuse.  There is so much love in the picture from everyone involved that it is clear that their intention is never to poke fun at, but to celebrate the silent medium. 

            A big story would have bogged the picture down with pretentiousness.  But, that is not to say that the Artist is small in scope.  On the contrary, the film is crafted in meticulous detail with the period setting most definitely in the forefront.  The cinematography, by Guillaume Schiffan, is a thing of beauty with each shot in the picture being it’s own unique work of art.  The film was shot very much in the style of the 20’s with very few modern techniques used at all.  There are a few sweeping crane shots here and there and a couple moments of special effects magic, but most everything is done in camera and to great effect.  I found out during the director talk-back that The Artist was actually shot in color and then post converted to black and white in order to achieve the various shades of gray.  The choice obviously worked out quite well for them, but its disheartening to learn that even black and white films are not filmed that way in this day and age.  The truth is, that black and white film stock is not in large demand and filmmakers are now inexperienced with it.  It is much easier for a director to shoot something in color and post convert to black and white in order to achieve the exact picture that they may want.  Hazanavicius claimed that Schiffan was very much his slave during the production, and that is evident when watching the film.  The director’s eye is all over the screen.  One great sequence, during the closing moments of the film, recalls memories of the great song and dance routines of Fred Astaire.  It’s all done in a wide shot so that the viewer can catch every move.  Movies just aren’t shot like this anymore.

            The Artist does outstay it’s welcome by about fifteen minutes or so during it’s middle section.  But so much of the film is so magical, that I was able to forgive a bit of bloat. I’m a sucker for movies about movies, and it is clear that Hazanavicius knows his stuff.  I hope that this film brings about an opportunity for him to do much more.  We could use a director with his taste, knowledge, and imagination in Hollywood today.  I’m interested to see how this film will catch on with a general audience that isn’t as film savvy as most festival or Awards goers.  One thing is for sure though – its Oscar prospects are huge and I have nothing but admiration for this beautiful nostalgic picture.

The Artist
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Runtime: 100 mins