Many people, my fellow St. Louis Film Critics among them, have chosen “The Artist,” which opens here today, as the best movie of 2011 and are supporting it for Best Picture honors when the Academy Awards come around on Feb. 26.
I respectfully disagree.
I’ve seen the majority of the 2011 releases, though I’m still waiting on “Albert Nobbs,” “Coriolanus” and a couple of others that may be contenders, and while I’m fond of “The Artist,” and think it’s an outstanding achievement and a very entertaining movie, there are a couple of problems. First, making an “homage” to a dead art immediately limits the size of its audience and pins a target that says “pretentious” on its chest. Second, after a wonderful opening, the “homage” factor runs dry and so does the story for about 20 minutes after the midpoint.
Making a silent film, in the style of the 1920s, is not easy, and writer-director Michel Hazanavicius has done a superb job (and I might support him for a directorial Oscar). Going back to the square format offers a different look to audiences, and convincing actors to try something different had to be a chore, but it was successful.
Guillaume Schiffman, the director of photography, delivers brilliantly, and the editing, by Anne-Sophie Bion and Hazanavicius, is magnificent. Real skill in both areas.
The story has more than its share of whiskers. Jean Dujardin is remarkable as George Valentin, and note the character is a letter away from being Valentino, hardly a coincidence. He’s a star, with a beautiful wife (Penelope Ann Miller) and great popularity, and a gorgeous young co-star in the marvelous Peppy (Berenice Bejo). He has a loyal chauffeur, Clifton (the wonderful James Cromwell) and he works for a cigar-waving boss (the really excellent, cigar-chewing John Goodman, who might get my vote as Best Supporting Actor).
But sound is on its way in, and matinee idols like Valentin are on their way out. Peppy becomes a star. Clifton remains loyal.
People who never have seen many silent films will enjoy the experience. People who like well-made films and who enjoy the work of directors who take chances will be entertained. But in the final analysis, I’m glad that movies have sound, and dialogue, and even special effects. I’m also glad that cars have starters and do not have to be cranked any more. It’s fun to peek into the past every now and then, but I wouldnj’t want to live there.
The Artist opens today at several theaters.
— Joe