silent movie magic relived the artist

The Sound of Silence: Movie review of ‘The Artist’

Posted by calvy in Dogged reviews! on February 18, 2012

If I stay here long enough
I will learn the art of silence.
When I have given up words
I will become what I have to say.
— Desert: Richard Shelton

The Artist breathes fresh life into the dissonance of modern cinema by reliving the cinematic excellence of golden era. Sound; sometimes is but noise in the scheme of a screenplay that speaks for itself. The Artist showcases the bygone era in a light that is enigmatic & endearing; enchanting & entertaining! Weaved with a dream like essence, the movie outlives the details, paying a tribute to silent era with an eloquence of silence. This film may be silent but it is making emphatic cinematic noise this year at the Oscars!

Transcending the need for dialog, The Artist paints a canvas for itself through impeccable performances by the actors.

Dujardin plays George Valentin, a star of the silent movies who is pushed to obscurity with the advent of sound in Hollywood. With pictures getting a voice, his life, professional and personal, undergoes turmoil. All he has is the affection of a rising star Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) and his faithful dog, Uggie.

Uggie, the canine star from silent movie ‘The Artist’ has hit the right notes when it comes to delivering a power packed performance that has raged a rally favoring recognition of animal performances in award ceremonies. Having already won the Golden Collar top dog (best dog in a theatrical film at the Golden Collar awards), he is raring to woo audiences at the Oscars.

More reading: In this Time magazine feature, Uggie opens up about the complications of a transatlantic lifestyle and the perils of celebrity.