I Saw That!

One woman's opinions about popular entertainment.

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Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Amateur boxing coach, Christian (but not so heavenly-minded that I'm no earthly good) singer, writer, self-defense advocate, childfree. feminist www.smartwomenboxingtraining.org

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

The Artist (2011)

George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a popular silent screen star in the late 1920's.  After a personal appearance at the screening of his latest film, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) accidently bumps into him.  Peppy is an aspiring dancer.  Later, when she is in danger of being fired from a film by movie mogul Al Zimmer (John Goodman), Valentin steps in to save her job.  An attractive develops between the two, but Valentin is married, and unhappily so at that.

A change is coming. . . .the studio where Valentin has experienced his success abruptly decides to stop making silent films and switch to talkies.  Valentin wants no part of the new technology, and he's sure that there's still an audience for silent movies.  His career disappears, while Peppy, who's become an actress, soars at the box office.  However, their paths keep crossing each other.

This is an old-fashioned love letter to a form of movie making that no longer exists.  It's filmed in black and white, and yes, you have to read the dialogue.  But there's a lot of dialogue that's not spelled out, but it's clear what is going on.  The camera especially loves Ms. Bejo, and Uggie, the dog who accompanies Valentin, is adorable. 

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