The Artist swept the Oscars this year, landing a total of 10 nominations, and quickly became one of the most significant, yet obscure movies of the year. How did it do it?
For those of you who are unaware, The Artist is a silent, black and white film, released in 2011. Black and white silent films have fallen from popularity since the early 20th century, so the idea of this film was quite revolutionary. And yet… it works, and it works perfectly.
The Artist tells the story of George Velentin (Jean Dujardin), a 1920s film star. He stars in movie after movie, lives an extravagant life, and is beloved by the nation. However, with the advent of “talkies,” his career begins to fall apart. He is resistant to the change, and with new stars emerging, such as the talented Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), the industry doesn’t need him anymore.
Although The Artist has a great story that chronicles the highs and lows of life, it’s the visuals and sound that truly sell the film.
It’s incredible how expressive and engaging the film is, despite its lack of dialogue. The actor’s portrayal tells the story, and, though sometimes the viewer has to assume what’s going on, most of the time the perfect portayals will leave viewers deeply (and accurately) moved.
There is a particularly poignant scene in which the main character has a dream. In this dream, the audience hears sounds for the first time. George Velentin’s dream reveals his fear of this sound revolution through the use of natural sound effects, such as doors slamming and glasses clanging. What would be insignificant details in any other film become a plot point in this one.
This film makes one realize what truly makes a film special: the story. A story can be told with just pictures, and this film proves that. It cuts away all of those things that can get in the way in a movie- special effects, color, and even sound.
The Artistis “one of those films,” a movie that only comes around every few years that redefines the art of film forever. With perfect performances by Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, and George
Valentin’s charming dog, The Artist is not a film to miss!