The Artist

I'm in love.

I've got a serious crush on Peppy Miller, I'm smitten with George Valentin, and I'm head over heels for The Artist, a Harvey Weinstein film directed by Michel Hazanavicius.

French actor George Dujardin is Valentin, a silent film heartthrob who is the toast of Hollywood in 1927. He has a random meeting with Berenice Bejo (the wife of director Hanavicius in real life), a young actress trying to break into the biz. Their mutual attraction makes the screen sizzle, but Valentin is stuck in an unhappy marriage, with only his dog Uggy there to lend support.

The crash of '29 puts and the advent of "talkies" which studio executive Al Zimmer (John Goodman) decides is the future of film, puts Valentin's career in a tailspin. His fall from grace is mirrored by Peppy Miller's rising popularity. Valentin pours his own money into one final, ego driven attempt to prove the film world wrong--and loses everything.

I won't give away anymore details, but I will warn you that The Artist is MOSTLY silent, with a delightful and audible surprise at the end that makes the entire story make sense. It's subtle, but evident.

A strong supporting cast including James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller add to the fun.

So, it is indeed true that silence is golden. Especially when it comes to the Artist and the Golden Age of Hollywood.

This a film to put on your "must see" list. But shhhhh...do it quietly.

~ Ken Dunek