Cult movie......

Rating: 5/10 (29 February 2012)

This is a unique film and worth all the industry acclaim it's received.
At first I was stunned at George's resemblance to a grinning Gene Kelly in Singing In The Rain. That lasted for about 5 mins. Then I reached a point that if I had to watch his grimacing for any longer I'd be forced to go wait for my sister in the lobby until the movie finished. 'Luckily' it did stop. Next I watched the beautiful tailoring of the costumes, hair do's (trying to work out if they were Marcel waves). 'Luckily' the story ran slowly enough to need to find other things to look at. Giggle number 1 at The German Affair scene. Nope, couldn't see anybody wearing timberland watches by mistake. Isn't the belt on John Goodman's pants too low? Shouldn't it be up under the armpits or was that a different era? Nice lamps. Restricted camera angles in street scenes so total control over what the audience see. Hmm, what else can keep me occupied until film ends... Oh clever, some sound there to highlight his nightmare while he himself is mute .... Sigh... ouch my coccyx has started aching. Can't get comfy.... Need to straighten legs... Sigh... still 45 mins to go... Giggle number 2 at the dog following the "BANG" Now what?? Why have my eyes started watering like crazy. Can't see a thing. Sis, do you have spare tissues in your bag? ... Yes sis, Jean Dujardin is a hottie and it's a great film (teeth clenched).... Oh joy, a final happy tap dancing scene. No longer mute.. french. The End. Sis, (sageful expression) that was probably a reference to silent stars often failing on the switch to talkies because they had rotten voices or heavy foreign accents. So it's awfully clever that George turns out to be french don't you think?
Can't fault the acting/costumes/concept. A must for "intelligent" types, film critics and people working in the movie industry.