The Artist - (November 25, 2011 – limited; January 20, 2012 – wide): PG-13
Distributor: The Weinstein Company
Opening Weekend Box Office (wide): #17 with $2,371,803
Domestic Box Office Gross to-date: $28,070,412
Gross Revenue: $72,742,717
Production Budget: $15 million
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Perhaps the most common complaint surrounding Oscar Sunday involves the fact that a majority of the nominees for Best Picture are films that wowed critics at a film festival but no one from the general movie-going public has seen, and for a while it looked like The Artist would fit that unfortunate mold. Despite the fact that the unconventional romantic comedy had already garnered a number of Golden Globe and BAFTA awards, I’m willing to bet that a majority of my readers had yet to find anyone who had actually seen it…lord knows I was unable to find a theater that carried the film. The Weinstein Company eventually recognized this shortcoming and decided to distribute the awards contender to wider audiences, but it certainly wasn’t a good sign when rumors surfaced that a few mass audiences had left the film in disgust and demanded their money back. The cast itself was also a question mark, as aside from a few familiar faces, the key players weren’t anyone you’d recognize on the street; Jean Dujardin is largely unknown to American audiences (despite being labeled France’s George Clooney), and I haven’t seen Bérénice Bejo since she played a handmaiden in 2001’s A Knight’s Tale. Still, as a former film student, I had to appreciate the guts it took to release a black-and-white silent film, and I was curious to see exactly what was driving all the critics and Academy voters wild.
Set in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932, the titular “artist” is George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), the top actor in silent cinema who is reveling in the success of his newest blockbuster. At the film’s premiere, George comes across lifelong fan and struggling film extra Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), whom he kindly takes under his wing and to whom he gives valuable advice so that she will make an impact in the industry. Soon enough, Peppy starts building a presence on the silver screen, while George is warned by Studio President Al Zimmer (John Goodman) that the public is losing interest in silent film and starting to embrace the emergence of talkies. Dismissive of the passing “trend” of sound in film, George resolves to produce his own film, which fails miserably and combines with 1929 stock-market crash to place him on the edge of bankruptcy; in a twist of fate, Peppy is on the other end of the spectrum, skyrocketing in popularity and rapidly climbing the A-list of the sound genre. Struggling with his newfound inadequacy, George slips into depression with no companionship aside from his dedicated valet, Clifton (James Cromwell), and his loyal dog (Uggie); all the while hoping that his career and legacy are not forgotten in the wave of a changing Hollywood.
While I doubt a majority would list the silent film as one of their favorite genres, The Artist will definitely renew your faith in the brilliance of the format, as it paves the way for considerable creativity and shockingly strong acting and storytelling. With virtually no spoken dialogue, the occasional intertitle, and no reprieve from silence aside from the astounding non-diegetic soundtrack, it is a true testament to the direction of Michel Hazanavisius that modern audiences are able to follow the story. As for the acting, Jean Dujardin showcases considerable talent, displaying a wide array of emotions, from humor, to arrogance, to despair, to anger; all without speaking a word…you’ll support his character’s plight with interest almost immediately and be rooting for him on Oscar Night. Then there is Bérénice Bejo…where in the hell has she been hiding all these years? Not only is she unfathomably beautiful, she lights up the screen and showcases a fearless personality that complements Dujardin perfectly; the two have insane amounts of chemistry, and is she is my definite pick for Best Supporting Actress on Sunday. Strong acting and directing aside, there are a few elements within The Artist that audiences might not respond to, but upon closer inspection, they just pave the way for other accolades.
When I heard the story about regular audiences walking out thoroughly dissatisfied with The Artist, I knew that it wasn’t related to film quality, and in retrospect I can understand how a silent film might not translate with everyone. The Artist is a loving testament to classic Hollywood, showcasing a simpler time with painstaking quality and attention to detail, but for casual audiences who might not appreciate that recognition; I can see how the story tends to drag at a few points. Also, it may have been sold as more of a romantic comedy than a drama, so be warned, the film delves into some pretty mature territory, and when Valentin slips deeper into depression and toys with suicide, things get considerably dark. Still, these qualifications aside, the use of black-and-white and virtually no sound paves the way for a creativity that demands your attention…about halfway through the film, Valentin has a nightmare where he experiences sound for the first time yet is unable to speak, and the sequence is so reminiscent of a Hitchcock-era style that it is one of the most brilliant things I have seen on film in some time. Make no mistake, The Artist is clever and tells a resoundingly positive story that will bring you to tears and have you cheering during the feel-good and surprising ending…do not miss it.
Considering how long The Artist has thus far been in theaters and the changes that have been made to its distribution schedule, it is not fair to analyze opening weekend numbers or compare it to other wide-release blockbusters. Still, being a French film and a gargantuan buzz-builder, The Weinstein Company cannot be upset that the $15 million movie has already grossed over $72 million…a number that will skyrocket if it takes Best Picture on Sunday. I have seen 7 of the 9 Best Picture nominees, so I am more than qualified to offer an opinion, and I have no problem in declaring The Artist as a top contender for the top honor. However, if I had to declare the accolade for which The Artist is most deserving, my vote would have to go to Best Supporting Actress; I cannot wait to see what Bérénice Bejo can do once she gets the chance to speak. Plain and simple, whether you are a casual moviegoer or someone who will be at a party on Sunday breaking down every nominee, you owe it to yourself to see the remarkably well-made and thoroughly unconventional (by today’s standards at least) comedy/drama.
Overall Recommendation: Very High
