THE ARTIST
PG-13
100 Minutes
Director:Michel Hazanavicius
Writer: Michel Hazanavicius (scenario and dialogue)
Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman
THE ARTIST is ike HUGO, in that it is paying homage to film as a form of art. A silent, black-and-white motion picture. It's a charming flick, with broad appeal.
George Valentine is a middle-aged actor, who used to be an A-list film star. While filming a movie, he becomes a friend, mentor, and lover; to a one, Penny Miller. Penny Miller (Bejo) represents the future of motion pictures: movies starring young, attractive people...who can speak words.
The Great Depression was hard on well-to-do actors in silent pictures. George Valentin became destitute and poor. All he had left was his loyal companion, a Jack Burton Terrier. Eventually, to make ends meet, he and his dog reenacted Shakespeare in the park for pennies. That is cutest dog I have ever seen, if they gave Oscars for looking adorable, John Goodman would be shoe-in; I'd say the dog has a 50-50 chance.
John Goodman is looking alright. He quit drinking, and works out six days a week. In THE BABE (1992), John Goodman showed us what a high-functioning alcoholic can really accomplish. I have always been a fan of his: one time, I rode a razor scooter seven miles, to the worst part of town, all to see COYOTE UGLY (2000). Yeah, he was in that one...briefly. In the future, I can see Goodman evolving into a Wilford Brimley-type character (with the oatmeal commercials, and all).
The Artist the best black and white movie since that movie, BLACK AND WHITE (1999). Starring Elijah Wood, Brooke Shields, and most of the Wu-Tang Clan. Shot entirely in color, it's about poseurs infiltrating a hip-hop scene in Harlem. Let me just say one thing: don't buy a movie from a video rental store that's going out of business. All they had left was BLACK AND WHITE (1999), and APT PUPIL (1998), and I bought both.
Up through the 1960s, Italians were used to play Spanish-speaking characters. This movie stars two Latino actors; man, that clever I can't tell if they are white. Effectively, circumventing of bigotry of the viewing public, and providing us with a wonderful movie in the process―bravo...or shall i say, ¡bravo! Michael Jackson was right, it doesn't matter if you are black or white, or both.
Final Verdict: 90 out of 100
