Fine Story, Outstanding Cast and Surprisingly Good Music & even Great Hoofing!

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2012)

IN A SORT OF all out display of a story about a silent Hollywood learning to talk and the problems encountered by those caught in the middle; the producers chose to do a real retro work and make a silent film filmed in glorious black and white. We couldn't have agreed with their choice more; for it had a great tendency to draw the audience into the story in the proverbially hook, line and sinker intensity.
THE TOPIC WAS one taken from many real life stories from the late 20's early 30's scene in tinsel town; although there is no one real life person's story being portrayed here. The subject matter had, indeed, been told before on the screen. We had been offered such fare as WHAT PRICE Hollywood? (RKO, 1932*) and no less than three versions of A STAR IS BORN having been produced over the span of some forty years.**
HOWEVER SEEMINGLY TIMEWORN and "old hat" the storyline may seem to be, the production team manages to render it all new and fresh, right before our non color stimulated eyes and their corresponding non sound-wave inundated ear drums. This feature, alone,gave the audience a sort of unique slant on the events unfolding.
THEY ALSO MANAGED to threw in just enough new and different elements to make it all new. Just when a viewer believes he has it all figured out, we find out NOT!
THERE WAS NOT one area of the production that does not fall short of the ultimate degree of quality. In every department, near perfection was achieved. The style of direction, the mime-like acting, the general appearance of the actors and the fine use of a strict Art Decco motif in set decor and even in the title cards, all ring true and equal possibly the best recreation of a silent feature film ever.***
IN ADDITION TO all there previously mentioned elements, this film never seems to take itself too seriously; never going too long without the injection of a little dose of humor. The inclusion of the trained dog, indulging us with some well executed tricks and the use of the name of "Peppy Miller" as the new star's name, while the cast includes real life actress, Penelope Miller, in a major role.
WITH THE RELEASE of this Academy Award Winner, THE ARTIST, the Hollywood set has given us what it so seldom does, something original!
OTE:* This RKO feature starred Constance Bennett,Lowell Sherman and a young Nr. Neil Hamiton, who is best remembered for work in the sunset years of his life as Commissioner Gordon on the "BATMAN" TV Show (Greenway/20th Century-Fox/ABC TV, 1966-68).
NOTE:** Three very familiar Technicolor versions came out in 1937, 1954 and 1976, staring,respectively: Janet Gaynor & Frederic March, Judy Garland & James Mason, Barbara Streisand & Chris Christopherson. Yes, the 3rd release did somewhat depart from Hollywood for the Music business.
NOTE:*** Some may argue that THE ARTIST includes a soundtrack with music, sound effects and a brief run of dialog, making it a Sound Movie. We argue that it is still essentially a Silent; much in the same way that Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS and MODERN TIMES sported music, sound fx and brief on screen voices.