The Artistry of "The Artist".

Rating: 10/10 (13 March 2012)

The first actual silent movie I ever saw,was "Seventh Heaven". It was on TV one day when I was 11,in 1979. I saw this before I even had seen a silent comedy and despite my age,I didn't turn the channel. Instead,I watched it all.
When I got around to the comedies,I liked them also,mainly because I can look into a time long before my own.. So with "The Artist,I get to do that as well but in a modern film. This movie is a must and great up to date way for those unfamiliar,
Sure,all the actors are from this era but they have done such a convincing portrayal here,it's almost as if they actually entered a time machine and made a movie in the 21st century.
The filming style is of that era,I can only guess they located the same kind of film somehow,the fashions are perfect and the storyline plays just like one of the "real" movies of that time.
The scene on the multi-level staircase,reminds me of how they filmed some scenes in "Metropolis". I believe many a silent classic is honored here,including the comedies.
The sound moments are,in a sense,like when Al Jolson made "The Jazz Singer". Mostly silent but some sound moments thrown in. Those moments here are done in a brilliant and creative way.
The storyline is right out of early Hollywood....ala "A Star Is Born". He's a long time success,she's a newcomer and later,their places are reversed on the Hollywood ladder of fame.
He absolutely refuses to do "talkies" and (like most then) thought they were a gimmick and wouldn't last. She,being younger,is all too happy to comply.
John Goodman's role is very funny as the put upon studio head who can't get Valentin to see that the silent era is over and must make a change or be shoved aside to history.
I wont go any further if you have yet to see it,if you have you know the rest. The ending is a very clever and fun one as well. This picture deserves every bit of praise it's been given.
10 stars for the artistry of "The Artist".