{4.5\/5} “Why do you refuse to talk?”<\/p>\n
George is a big silent movie star. Peppy bumps into George and they get their picture taken with her kissing him on the cheek — this picture is on the front page of the paper the next day. Peppy wants to be an actress, and she starts by being an extra in a few movies. She works her way up to being a star herself. Talking movies are coming but George is disdainful of the idea — meanwhile his marriage is going downhill.<\/p>\n
The Artist<\/strong> was released in 2011. It’s filmed in the style of a silent movie — black and white, no sound except background music, some dialogue on title cards.<\/p>\n It’s a bit strange to be seeing people’s lips move and not hear what they say, but you get used to it. Jean Dujardin and B\u00e9r\u00e9nice Bejo have a great presence on the screen, and you understand what they’re conveying. James Cromwell is brilliant as always.<\/p>\n George’s dog is another great character — he’s well trained, and acts with him in movies. Uggie the dog was also in Water for Elephants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It’s about making movies, dealing with change, and falling in love.<\/p>\n Don’t let the unusual format stop you from seeing it. It might not become one of your all-time favourites, but it’s a terrific movie. It’s quite funny.<\/p>\n The playful and dramatic music is by\u00a0Ludovic Bource (OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies<\/strong>).<\/p>\n