Music, Style & Culture

The Artist

This silent, black and white tribute to cinema transcends tastes and generations - a euphoric experience.

Released in Vue West End 30th December 2011, nationwide from 6th January 2012.

Sneaking into a single cinema on the penultimate day of 2011 and causing endless debate at DIY Towers regarding our best of the year list, The Artist is technically our film of the year.

To banish winter blues, make sure this is the first film you see in the New Year. A modern film, set in the 1920s, and shot as a silent, black and white movie, you say? No matter if silent cinema is not your bag, as this film is for anyone who has ever been bewitched by the movies. A glorious, uplifting tribute to the pioneers of cinema and the movie stars of old, it follows the fate of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a screen legend who refuses to make the switch to talkies. Faithful to his wife, he is nevertheless attracted to the charismatic young dancer and dedicated fan Peppy (Berenice Bejo), mentoring her to stardom. As his own career falters, the obstinate and proud Valentin falls into despair and ruin, but there is always someone looking out for him.

A French production from writer/director Michel Hazanavicius, it features familiar faces in rich, expressive supporting roles. John Goodman grins and grimaces as a bigwig producer, Missi Pyle is a temperamental star that gets upstaged by Valentin's offscreen appeal, and James Cromwell makes the biggest impression as Valentin's dignified and loyal chauffeur. Stealing every scene is Valentin's canine co-star, the cutest, smartest dog ever to run away with a movie.

However, it's Dujardin who carries the film, and he does so in silence, like a captivating cross between the suave Cary Grant and the swashbuckling Errol Flynn - without a trace of smugness. It's a beautiful, heartwarming performance, subtly emoted by the French actor, who previously starred in Hazanavicius' OSS 117 series of Bond parodies. Bejo is equally evocative as the starlet - the scene where she ventures into Valentin's dressing room is full of endearing charm. The pair have an innocent chemistry which glows on screen.

The Artist is shot like a lovingly restored old classic, and is ridiculously authentic (bar some clever asides), with the buoyant orchestral score and the odd intertitle card. However, it's not a parody, nor a gimmick - Hazanavicius' handling of the tone is masterful, as he immerses the viewer in a (realtively) modern fairytale rooted in fact. You don't have to be a silent movie fan to appreciate the film, but for lovers of old cinema there are enough in-jokes and riffs to please. Visually, there is an incredible depth and warmth to the black and white photography, and this is one film that must be seen on the big screen, in the grandest cinema possible.

For all its technical beauty, it's the old-fashioned story that lingers; romance, comedy, tragedy and the most glorious of feelgood endings, complete with a gaspworthy, revelatory touch at the end that's a tear and laugh-inducing delight. A film that united audiences in pure joy at the London Film Festival, it transcends tastes and generations - a euphoric experience. Not only the most astonishing work of art, but a loving thank you note to all the stars who've come and gone. Magnificent.

Rating: 10/10