The Artist

Imaginative, inventive, and challenging, French writer-director Michel Hazanavicius's Oscar-winning black-and-white silent film stars Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, a flamboyant matinee idol reminiscent of Douglas Fairbanks. At a premiere, George encounters ambitious, fun-loving flapper Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who eventually gets her big break and becomes a major star, while George's allure is soon eclipsed by younger leading men who make the transition to “talkies.” Dujardin oozes the same kind of Gallic charm as Maurice Chevalier, while beautiful Bejo is sensational, evoking Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Gloria Swanson (who said it best in Sunset Boulevard: “We didn't need dialogue. We had faces.”). Plus there are memorable supporting performances by John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, and Uggy, the scene-stealing Boston terrier. Film aficionados will recognize a familiar plot that combines the exuberant Gene Kelly/Debbie Reynolds romance from Singin' in the Rain with the poignant Norman Maine/Esther Blodgett premise of A Star is Born. But Hazanavicius is neither nostalgic nor sentimental about the bygone era he so faithfully recreates, brilliantly capturing its dazzling spirit and elusive glamour. Enchanting, exciting, and visually eloquent, The Artist epitomizes classic cinema. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a Q&A with the filmmakers and cast including director Michel Hazanavicius and costars Jean Dujardin and James Cromwell (45 min.), a “making-of” featurette (22 min.), “The Artisans Behind The Artist” segments on production design, cinematography, costumes, and composer Ludavic Bource (12 min.), “Hollywood as a Character: The Locations” (5 min.), a blooper reel (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Oscar winner.] (S. Granger)