The Artist- Conceptual Review

Rating: 6/10 (14 March 2012)

Director Michel Hazanavicius has made all effort for the look and feel of the 1920s, for the silent movie.The screen opens with the late 1920's with an instance of picture within another movie. That movie gives us an introduction about the lively movies which shall comprise of emotion, comedy, horror and all aspects which an ideal movie should consist to become a hit. The artist and the team watch the movie behind the screen in silence clearly delivering the message of his story is next to be screened in silence. The success of the movie being shown brings immense happiness to the artist, and when he shares it with media and press, introduces the 'Miller', who shares it along with him. Jean Dujardin-The artist makes small efforts to make her special with the help of beauty spot for her appraisal in the cinema industry. Meanwhile the introduction of the talkies starts slowly replacing the silent movies. Man is a social animal and has to sustain and adopt to the changes if he needs to survive. But the George valentine- The artist refuses the change , hence forth starts finding his down days, but Miller accepts the changes and turns successful.This nonacceptance of change supported by symbolism is very well depicted in the form of stairs when they both confront each other with climbing Miller and descending artist. The symbolism of psychology is also extended by the director when artist dreams of feather falls from great height, symbolizing his fall, but on the contrary the non egoistic nature of the feather of being light weight and flexible remains unnoticed by artist. The artist tries to overcome others in the competitive world by his own production to produce "tears of Love" which gives him only tears and not love bringing him to "The End".He gradually gets isolated represented by walking across market shop named "lonely star". The "guardian Angel" for him arrives in the form of Peppy Miller saving all his assets. Finally, the shadow of him which is also fed up of his failures walks out of screen leaving him alone. He starts burning all his ego which he finds in his own films. The last attempt of his killing ego which landed in in killing himself is stopped by Miller leading to the dramatic happy ending.
This movie can be compared with two already existing Indian movies. "The dirty picture" which also represents the fall of a person because of pride. And the second one is "Pushpakavemana" which is a silent movie enacted by Kamalhasan whose performance leads The artist. I also appreciate the Foley artists for providing the good sound effects which is highlighted as it is a silent movie. The actors effort of a blank and Blanca of 1927-1932, a five year story is thus satisfactory as it only of symbolism of "pride ruins the game".