February 5, 2012
The film opens with silent screen heartthrob George Valentin (the artist) at the zenith of his career, whilst girl-next-door Peppy Miller is just another face in the crowd. Enter the villain of the piece – the new technology of talking pictures. In the fast moving world of Hollywood, Valentin, with only his faithful dog for company, is soon heading for the pawnshop and hitting the bottle. Meanwhile, ingénue Miller is well on the way to talkie super-stardom.
The Artist is basically a pastiche of Singin‘ in the Rain, but without Gene Kelly, Technicolor, sharp dialogue, singin‘ or rain. With humour firmly pitched at the level of a 1930s light comedy, this is a piece of fluffy escapism ideally suited for wet Sunday afternoon viewing.
Despite fine performances from Jean Dujardin (Valentin), Bérénice Bejo (Peppy Miller) and Uggie (the dog), who all throw themselves wholeheartedly into the spirit of the film , The Artist is not Oscar material, but perhaps somebody should give the dog a bone.
The Artist is basically a pastiche of Singin‘ in the Rain, but without Gene Kelly, Technicolor, sharp dialogue, singin‘ or rain. With humour firmly pitched at the level of a 1930s light comedy, this is a piece of fluffy escapism ideally suited for wet Sunday afternoon viewing.
Despite fine performances from Jean Dujardin (Valentin), Bérénice Bejo (Peppy Miller) and Uggie (the dog), who all throw themselves wholeheartedly into the spirit of the film , The Artist is not Oscar material, but perhaps somebody should give the dog a bone.
