April 23, 2012

A look at The Artist...

IT'S 1927 and the heyday of silent cinema with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. lookalike George Valentin a Hollywood star.
Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the darling of the silver screen while sparkly Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) is an aspiring actor who literally steps out of the crowd and into his life.
But there's a couple of serious problems looming for George. He's already married to Doris (Penelope Ann Miller) and then studio head Al Zimmer (John Goodman) announces that sound is the way of the future.
George's career rapidly goes into freefall as the talkies take over. Peppy's star is rising and she's soon dubbed "Hollywood's new sweetheart."
George stakes everything on directing a silent film which, unfortunately, none of the major Hollywood studios will back.
When it fails George becomes suicidal.
Peppy tries to reach out to protect him and they even dance together in a magical sequence.
And there's also a scene-stealing dog. Jack, who's a Jack Russell terrier played by the adorable Uggie, has many magic moments of his own.
Director Michael Hazanavicius' semi-silent movie simulating the style of the 1920s silent films was a huge hit at the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony.
Not only was it voted Best Picture, Hazanavicius won the Oscar for Best Director. Dujardin won for Best Actor while the Oscars for music (original score) and costume design were also scooped by The Artist.

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