The Artist highlights the superficiality of tinsel town.

Jean Dujardin, playing the famous Hollywood movie star, George Valentin is the artist, an egotistical, silent movie star with the charisma and plenty of the good lucks to attract the interest of the ladies. It's not surprising that his accolades include best actor awards for the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Academy Awards. I loved his arrogance and his acting which typifies melodrama at its best. Melodrama is one of the features that interested the French director, Michel Hazanavicius in recreating silent movies during the 1920s.
The Artist highlights the superficiality of Tinsel town, the glitter and glitz of fame while it lasts. And does it last? Of course not!!
The silent movies were becoming tedious and dated, the directors wanted something to excite their public and of course, the public yearned for something modern and exciting. This seems to mean the end of a flourishing career for Valentin whose stubbornness and pride lead him to reject any advancement in cinematography. He is ruined, his marriage ends, he auctions all his possessions, his material wealth and hits rock bottom. A sad demise but an inevitable one.
The contrast? A beautiful and enchanting up and coming, aspiring actress, the director's wife, Berenice Bejo who plays an ambitious and vivacious Peppy Miller whose chance meeting with Valentin and a photograph spashed on the front page of Variety with the headline: Who's That Girl? is the catalyst needed to propel her career into orbit and attract her leading man into a romantic liasion. She has the beauty, the charisma, the charm and most importantly, the humility, a rdeeming quality.
Within five years their roles are reversed: she is famous and adored by the public, he is a has-been, no longer enamoured by the fickle masses, a drunkard and suicidal. The romantic link is slow in developing but once the chemistry is in place it is electrifying to watch, especially at the end.
I loved the unappreciated, taken for granted valet, Clifton (James Cromwell) for his ten years of dedication to his master without being paid a cent. That is true devotion. The other star? As an animal lover I adored Uggie, Valentin's faithful dog who saves his master's life after his first suicidal bid and who also entertains us throughout with his amazing tricks.
An interesting film to watch with large doses of tragedy and comedy. You need to watch the film a couple of times to appreciate what a wonderful film it is, but you will, I am sure about that.
Copyright 2012. Permission must be obtained from the author before using this review.

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