Set in the late 1920s to early 1930s, the film`s narrative revolves around silent film idol George Valentin (Dujardin), whose career is beset by the advent of the talkies, rendering the poor chap obsolete as it simultaneously elevates the career of his love interest, rising starlet Peppy Miller (Bojo), who first meets him as an extra on the set of one of his films.
The Artist`s styling as a black-and-white silent film not merely evinces a mastery of form that is completely convincing, but also uses this conceit to reinforce its themes of vulnerability and human connection. The film is both a tribute to the era of silent film, and a miniature masterpiece in its own right.
Most impressively, The Artist manages to convincingly capture not only the aesthetics of the era, but also the soul of silent films. The characters are not so much people rather than archetypes of film: the rakish, aging leading man, the blustery producer, the preening prima donna and the preppy young starlet. The alchemy of Dujardin`s performance suffuses his character with both the veneer of charm that all stars of that era possessed, as well as a heartbreaking emotional interiority, as his character starts to realise his insignificance and waning appeal.
The Artist is a vibrant, witty masterpiece that is both a resurrection of and a tribute to the era of silent films.
Summary: -raises cue card that says `standing ovation`-
Rating: 4/5 Raphael Lim
Run time: 100 min