Almost certain to make an impact at next month's Oscars is a film that could easily fit in with its earliest nominees. It's a modern day silent film called The Artist, and after seeing it, it's not hard to see why it's so praised.
Suave George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. After the premiere of his latest flick, A Russian Affair, George bumps into aspiring starlet Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). George gives Peppy her big break in his next film and her star is born.
Meanwhile, Hollywood begins to embrace the idea of putting sound and pictures together. George thinks this is just a fad, but he's in for a rude awakening. In times like these, the most reliable person George can turn to is his dog (Uggie).
Created by Writer, Director and Co-Editor Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist's old-fashioned style results in a fresh film. Photographed by Guillaume Schiffman, its images give quick and easy exposition. Composer Ludovic Bource punctuates these images with a lively score. And while it is a silent movie, a few key scenes actually do have sound. And when the film speaks, you listen.
On a more visible level, The Artist also triumphs. Its actors make up one of this year's most likable cinema ensembles. Its writing, expressed through intertitles, is delightfully aware of its medium. When combined with its technical elements, these aspects put the film's powers of expression on par with the latest talkies.
In other words, The Artist is fun all the way through. And for that reason, it earns its praise as one of the past year's best films.
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