Pure Class. A masterpiece. Triumphant!

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2012)

If you don't understand my silence, you'll never understand my words..
I remember with great fondness the good old Charlie Chaplin movies when they used to play on Sundays on Doordashan- silent, yet laced with so much slapstick humor and emotional wallop, that even to this day, they remain my most memorable cinematic experiences. While the introduction of sound was a significant development in the history of cinema changing the level of audience involvement and creating new stars, but it also led to the supposed demise of the silent movie stars. Or did it not? This myth is brought to life in Michel Hazanavicius's The Artist where a silent movie actor -George Valentin finds himself fading from the limelight once silent cinema goes out of vogue. It's strength is in its inspired performances and its seamless updating of the kind of visual storytelling used in the silent era, and its weakness lies in a story that's as predictable as every other modern romantic comedy.
It is 1927 and George Valentin (played by Jean Dujardin) is the reigning king of Hollywood, at the apex of his popularity. His movies are in black and white and silent. He is a cross between Gene Kelly with the dazzling smile and Clark Gable with his intense eyes. George is self assured, loves audience attention and in general is soaking in the good times. A fateful day brings young, starry eyed and looking for an opportunity Peppy Miller (played by Bernice Bejo) together with George- that moment in the spotlight sets Peppy on the road to stardom. George does his little bit to create her unique identity, and they begin to lovingly fall in love with each other. He is enraptured on the set as he watches her legs rehearsing a dance behind a backdrop screen, and she puts her arm in an empty jacket sleeve caressing herself in a imaginary embrace. Their connection is instantaneous, and their affection is infectious. They make each other happy, and by the end of the movie, there would be no two thoughts about the fact that they were made for each other. Though their story may look clichéd, the scenes will make you tingle no matter how often you see it.
But since George is a mega star, it means he is not prepared for the advent of sound in pictures, and the fact that it will change his life. In a metaphorical scene, when George walks out of his studio and walks down a staircase with a plan to make his magnum opus silent movie, he meets Peppy who is walking her way up. Peppy's film career explodes, and George's career implodes, both spectacularly so. By not accepting the future, George willfully sabotages his own life- he loses his wife, his wealth, his respect, and find solace in the bottle and his adorable Jack Russell terrier. Will Peppy come to the rescue and arrest George's decline into madness, and more importantly, will George allow her to help him? Watch the movie for the answers, but this I have to say that you will come out smiling :)
The film has a carefully constructed tone that lingers between comedy and drama, playing alternately with melancholic and playful tones, bordering on light satire. It's both a creative success and a crowd pleasing movie, with the two stars delivering perfect Hollywood characterizations. Dujardin is already a big star in the film industry and here he plays George with terrific magnetism, and in the latter half, excellent poignancy. He has great screen presence, and an irresistible smile, ably complemented by Bernice Bejo who is beautiful, passionate, sassy and exuberant, endowed with positivity and willpower. Last but not the least is the fabulous music score that aptly captures every mood, and George's Jack Russell who often steals the show from his talented master.
In this era of slam bang actioners, cacophonous explosions, VFX laden spectacles, remakes and sequels and of course the ubiquitous 3D, it takes extreme gumption to make a silent film that celebrates the old magic of movies. Director Michael Hazanivicius deserves more than a pat on his back for crafting a movie which is deeply reverential of the world of movie making, in addition to stimulating the sense of joy in all of us, making it irresistibly charming and appealing to the modern audience.
The film already has 10 Oscar nominations, and already has swept other global awards. The Artist is a triumphant celebration of the artistry in movies, and in that it scores a 10/10. Its a must watch for the viewer with taste. My pick for best director, and best actor for tomorrow's Oscars.