The Artist (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• First L

  
  "Out with the old, in with the new". It's what they said about silent films when the advent of "talkies" proved to be more than just a passing fad. It's what they said about many of those silent age actors too, who didn't have a voice for film, and… More
  "Out with the old, in with the new". It's what they said about silent films when the advent of "talkies" proved to be more than just a passing fad. It's what they said about many of those silent age actors too, who didn't have a voice for film, and who were soon replaced by other faces and names. Of course new isn't necessarily always better. At least that's what George Valentin (Jean Dujardin in an academy award winning performance) would say. When shown a film clip of a talkie for the first time, he scoffs at it's ridiculousness: where is the artistry? Valentin is an enormously successful silent film star who has just about the whole world wrapped around his finger, he's charismatic, dashing, without guile; his star power radiates like a super nova. Leaving one of his sold out movie premieres, he bumps into a young woman by the name of Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who takes an ackward situation and turns it into a paparazzi moment, schmoozing for the cameras. It's all Valentin can do to keep up with her. "Who's That Girl?" reads the Variety page headlines. Peppy takes a copy with her to a movie audition, determined to make sure the producers know. Of course Valentin runs into her again, as fate must seemingly decree, and he insists she try out for a part in his movie. The rise of one star and the fall of another has been done many times in hollywood, A Star is Born, All About Eve, Singin' in the Rain (even some of those Busby Berkeley musicals) have all shared similar themes, but The Artist is only marginally about that. How about the actual artist himself? The man who decrees he'd rather fail by his own creation than succeed pandering to some imagined audience. Artists of the silent screen like Buster Keaton or Douglas Fairbanks (who bears more than a passing resemblance to Dujardin's Valentin character, in both appearance and mannerisms) saw their creativity shackled as sound became the standard and their unique gifts were constrained to studio pigeon holes. In "The Artist", Valentin makes a film of unique beauty, financed by his own money, and ignored by a public still reeling from the stock market crash of 1929. His failure is not from lack of anything, save timing. But The Artist is only marginally about that too. To get to the heart of the matter, The Artist is really and simply about love. Pride makes it difficult to surrender sometimes. Sometimes we'd rather die than admit defeat at an erroneous cause. But what about the man who doesn't surrender to love? The man who is too afraid to let someone see the "real" him? More than anything, Valentin spends the movie running away from love and the surrender he must give to it. It's no surprise "The Artist" won five oscars (Best Costume Design, Best Directing, Best Original Score, Best Lead Actor, and Best Film of the Year), it's production is nearly flawless from one end to the other. Lead actor Jean Dujardin is positively mesmerizing as Valentin and does what few contemporary actors could achieve, his movements on the screen are like that of a ballet dancer's. The director, Michel Hazanavicius, crafts a painstakingly accurate tribute to films not just of the silent era but of the golden age of film in general. With black and white, it's all shadows and light for cinematographers, with Hazanavicius, it's all about the staircase (so many scenes revolve around staircases in this movie, watch and see if you don't notice this). It's the kind of film that will continue to stand out in one's memory years after seeing it, I'm sure. Above all, it's sweetly old-fashioned and poignant, something very rare for a film these days. Simply put, it's beautiful.

• Mike S

  
  What can I say about this wonderful film, that critics and fellow movie-goers haven't already captured in their written acclaim? Well, from a personal standpoint, and as someone who has never before experienced the great wonders of the silent film era, I was both delighted and… More
  What can I say about this wonderful film, that critics and fellow movie-goers haven't already captured in their written acclaim? Well, from a personal standpoint, and as someone who has never before experienced the great wonders of the silent film era, I was both delighted and overwhelmed by how much a movie so muted, can speak in such in tremendous and emotional volumes. From its very first moments, I was absorbed into this black-and-white sensation of a film, and never wanted to leave as it came to a close. Everything has been done so impeccably, so elaborately beautiful in its very essence, that you feel nothing but admiration for the cast and crew behind its making. Director Michel Hazanavicious has succeeded in the near-impossible; bringing back a classic format, that hasn't seen the light of day since 1929. A mesmerizing homage, that not only re-captures the techniques flawlessly, but entertains, moves and sweeps you off into a state of pure awe and inspiration. Yes, The Artist is every bit as amazing as they say. Deserving of all its praise and worthy of all the Oscars that are bound to come in its way. A fantastic, original and incredibly uplifting tour-de-force, that makes everything else in the repertoire look like the work of untalented hacks. A standing ovation and hats off into the air, for this magically brilliant masterpiece, that leaves you as speechless and lost for words as its gifted performers.

• Pierluigi P

  
  A carefully reproduced 1920s setting, a candid and nostalgic score and a moving performance by Jean Dujardin. Besides that, it has nothing original in its plot, not even in its silent gimmick (see Guy Maddin's films e.g.)

• Mister C

  
  No wonder this was the movie of 2011. Nominated for an impressive 10 Oscars including Best Picture,Best Actor(Dujardin),Best Supporting Actress(Bejo),Best Director and Best Original Screenplay(Michel Hazanavicus),the movie event of the 2011 "The Artist" displays a… More
  No wonder this was the movie of 2011. Nominated for an impressive 10 Oscars including Best Picture,Best Actor(Dujardin),Best Supporting Actress(Bejo),Best Director and Best Original Screenplay(Michel Hazanavicus),the movie event of the 2011 "The Artist" displays a wonderfully antiqauted French-bohemian sentiment. The title aptly and immediately emphasizes the true artisty of the cinema,something that hasn't happened in a long time. In fact,the quietness of the film is also the point. "The Artist" is a modern silent,black and white spectacle that is something to behold. The 'silence' is striking,but to be clear you will not sit in the theater listening to people cough while the grayscale people on screen gesture wildly and emphatically. The music for this film by Ludovic Bource and recorded by the Royal Philaharmonic Orchestra conveys what the characters audibly or not. Occassionally,at particular comical or complicated points,a text comes on screen to explain the dialogue. But mostly is the 'silence' is riveting,because it allows us to see the movie. It's a difference between watching a movie and observing the art. The film also tells the story of the movie industry's evolution away from the silent movie. George Valentin(Jean Dujardin) is the heartthrob and epicenter of the glamorous world of cinema in 1927 Hollywood. He is a commanding presence for any successful movie of the time-including Peppy Miller(Berenice Bujo). Peppy,as it turns out,is an aspiring actress herself,who has already lived in adoring fascination of George,and this only increases as she gets to know him on a personal level. The film industry is on the throes of change. People want words they can hear with the pictures,not words they can only imagine or see in the pictures. Little by little,Peppy's modern appeal and openness to change blossoms into a career that begins to eclipse that of the increasingly archic George Valentin. George refuses to accept change or perhaps he cannot find his place there,but either way,a downward spiral ensues. But a true artist should move with their art and with the times,shouldn't they? That's the question the film seeks to answer in both the plot,and on a meta-level as it toys with it's own medium. There is one jarring moment when Dujardin sets his glasses down on the dressing table-and you can hear it. Unless you sat through the previous 30 minutes,it's hard to convey how exceptional this moment seems. The actors give outstanding performances with a exceptional supporting cast that includes John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle, Malcolm McDowell and Ed Lauter. Even for a modern audience the film is not ridicious to watch. The laughter of the audience was frequent unforced and easy. The drama on screen was engaging and pulled you in the more it progressed. As a show,the film benefits from being viewed with an audience opposed to a small screen with a solo couch audience. There is more feeling and emotion,but there is a consolidation that you haven't been roped in by the novelty of black-and-white or silent action. The enjoyment of "The Artist" is real and palpable. The film upon it's release has received critical acclaim in festivals in both the English and French speaking world,perhaps because,at the end of the day,the language barrier is not so present. There's no denying that despite the silence,and perhaps because of it,the film turned heads and astound those who went to see it. Out of the 10 Oscar nominations that it deserved,the film was victorious in five of it's nominations winning for Best Picture, Best Director,Best Actor and Best Musical Score among others. "The Artist" will go down as a bonafide classic and it has becoming the first black-and-white motion picture to win the Best Picture category since Steven Spielburg's "Schindler's List" in 1993. And also the first black-and-white silent movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture since "Wings" in 1927. The first true "silent" film to come along in 85 years,and "The Artist" was that movie. Five Stars.

• Graham J

  
  A good film, but highly overrated. A great idea and executed well, but something is missing and it's not the sound.

• Alexander D

  
  I would like to call THE ARTIST the best film of 2011, but in all honesty, itâ(TM)s so convincing as a film from 80 years before that I have to wonder if it actually was released last year. Every so often we have a modern black-and-white film, such as SCHINDLERâ(TM)S LIST or… More
  I would like to call THE ARTIST the best film of 2011, but in all honesty, itâ(TM)s so convincing as a film from 80 years before that I have to wonder if it actually was released last year. Every so often we have a modern black-and-white film, such as SCHINDLERâ(TM)S LIST or PLEASANTVILLE, and itâ(TM)s always for an artistic purpose. With the most infinitesimal exaggeration, we never have a modern silent film come our way, and if we did, none of them would be as grand as THE ARTIST. Itâ(TM)s the most exquisitely delivered, beautifully captured film I have ever seen, and the best theatrical experience I have ever had. If you were considering going to see THE ARTIST, consider no longer, get out, and see it. This is a film that is in no way common and in every way unique; an automatic classic. That said, if this doesnâ(TM)t win the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2011 (and Best Original Score for Ludovic Bourceâ(TM)s ingeniously-crafted, well-done musical compositions), there will be some serious hell to pay. Ranked #1 of 2011.

• Spencer S

  
  An ode to the silent film era, The Artist is supposedly a love letter to moviemaking and the origins of the film in general. Though I did enjoy this film, my pleasure wasn't based entirely on the film itself, but more on what it borrows from and what it unearths about the silent… More
  An ode to the silent film era, The Artist is supposedly a love letter to moviemaking and the origins of the film in general. Though I did enjoy this film, my pleasure wasn't based entirely on the film itself, but more on what it borrows from and what it unearths about the silent film industry after the financial collapse and the emergence of the "talkies" in late 1929. That aspect of the industry's history was well represented. Much of this film is actually dour and saddening because it reveals the pride of the silent picture stars and their belief that talking films would come to naught, which was true for stars Wallace Beery and Charlie Chaplin. Others moved on and merged into talking pictures, but that concept is lost on The Artist. It's a case of the young replacing the old, and how silent films were eclipsed by a new medium. Really, it's a guilt trip for anyone who doesn't think silent or black and white movies are worth watching. So yes, this is a good toe dip into the metaphorical pool for those who aren't acquainted with silent film, but for those who are religious to that time period, there are some innumerable flaws to be considered. When the film isn't being morbid or condescending it's cutesy. I love cute, I crave cute, and this was the film to do it in. Though it achieves this rather well at times, Michael Hazanavicius is only using the serene Jean Dujardin and the button nosed Berenice Bejo to illustrate a romance that lasts one scene and spans years. There isn't much chemistry or romance in this film, and most of the things that make this extraordinary are in the trailer. That being said, I did like the throwback in the first half of the film to "Singin' in the Rain", a musical that explores this exact same set of circumstances, but with musical numbers and a heavy lean on comedy. It also represents Gershwin's music, the films of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and silent films in general. I didn't like the way they tried to show silent film acting though, because it was too blatant and picturesque. Though I truly believe Jean Dujardin is a master of both comedy and drama, and gave a truly enlightening performance, the plot didn't surprise me. It did nothing new, nothing that invested us at the end. Plus, the end was so anticlimactic and wrong that it just didn't sit right with me. That also being said, Jean Dujardin made this movie what it was. Berenice Bejo was adorable and frisky, but it was when Dujardin was alone and funny that the screen really lit up and the movie was made, and for that, I give this movie creedence to be whatever it wants and glorify a time period so often neglected. Bon nuit!

• Jameson W

  
  Wonderful! It's that good, people...

• Lady D

  
  I feel myself being in a familiar territory when it comes to a big award winning film, I have found parts of this film really good,more so in Direction and the novelty of it's theme, but when it came to story line I felt really disappointed, leaving the Cinema feeling that it had… More
  I feel myself being in a familiar territory when it comes to a big award winning film, I have found parts of this film really good,more so in Direction and the novelty of it's theme, but when it came to story line I felt really disappointed, leaving the Cinema feeling that it had been way over rated. It took quite a while to warm up and did feel quite stretched out at times. Jean Dujardin was every inch a well chosen lead in the film and was the interest throughout. The first part was a great reminder of Singing in the rain. Enjoyable, unique, stylish but not quite the masterpiece every one has said it was.

• Albert K

  
  An homage to a bygone genre that convincingly shows the audience why silent films are something that we are sorely missing in today's loud and clumsy movie industry. "The Artist" is truly a masterpiece. A silent film in 2011?!?!... What a great time to come out in one… More
  An homage to a bygone genre that convincingly shows the audience why silent films are something that we are sorely missing in today's loud and clumsy movie industry. "The Artist" is truly a masterpiece. A silent film in 2011?!?!... What a great time to come out in one of the worst years in movie history before the saturation of explosion-fest-Michael-Bay-blockbusters overwhelms the true films of Hollywood. Now many would probably come to the assumption that the removal of color and a dialogue free movie would seem like a gimmick or a pretentious movie that is daring to be known as "the best movie of all time". Nowhere are both sensed or seen. "The Artist"'s cinematography is absolutely beautiful. There are some gorgeous shots that though it is in black and white, are scenic breakthroughs. The cinematography and the camerawork is traditional in the sense of the silent film era's style but yet there are some outstandingly gorgeous shots. And what else could we say about the two stars of the show? They're irresistibly candid and fun to watch. Of course with a silent movie, expressions and body language is its way of conveying emotions; those emotions are expressed with such sparkle by Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. The chemistry between the two is palpable. Especially in the 21st century, the majority of the audience members are not interested in silent films, but "The Artist" is so irresistibly entertaining that it convincingly shows the magic films have lost because of the genuine attention audiences must invest to the characters, the setting, the communication, and the keen eye to acting ability. After watching this, its got me convinced to watch old school silent films again lol. The only thing that I would have to say that was the gripe of this movie was the pacing towards the 3rd quarter of the movie; it started to lose the audience's attention but regains it quickly. The movie isn't trying to be deep or pretentious; the simple plot and the chemistry are enough to invoke drama, comedy, happiness, and sadness. "The Artist" is not only artistic but it is a very wholesome, well-rounded film that is fun for the whole family. Yes, many would complain that it is too predictable. Really? A silent film has to be innovative in terms of its plot? Sorry, but silent films were always about the characters. What an homage to the silent film era. "The Artist" pulls everything off spectacularly and manages to pull of its purpose -- to show the magic that is missing from many films nowadays and to once again reignite a desire to see and want silent films again. This is a masterpiece.

• Stella D

  
  yeah i wasn't crazy about 'the artist'. maybe i've seen too many silent films. i can understand why people are charmed by this but it was terribly predictable, a constant barrage of homage. surely anyone who has seen 'singin' in the rain' and… More
  yeah i wasn't crazy about 'the artist'. maybe i've seen too many silent films. i can understand why people are charmed by this but it was terribly predictable, a constant barrage of homage. surely anyone who has seen 'singin' in the rain' and 'a star is born' could put 2 and 2 together (aside from the obligatory happy ending of course). the actors' hammy attempts to ape what i assume was their idea of silent film acting were really annoying. the film suffers from terminal cuteness as well. i admit i laughed when the dog got the cop to follow him but that was the only time i laughed. it's no great mystery why this won best picture: it's just the kind of self-congratulatory masturbation hollywood loves. and from the french no less

• Jens S

  
  So how do you go into a film that got so much praise but is filmed in such a minimalist and old-fashioned way? Somehow my expectations were high and low at the same time. And it turns out that was justified. The film deserves the recognition it is getting for the outstanding acting… More
  So how do you go into a film that got so much praise but is filmed in such a minimalist and old-fashioned way? Somehow my expectations were high and low at the same time. And it turns out that was justified. The film deserves the recognition it is getting for the outstanding acting performances and for a director who really makes us care for those characters even though we never hear their voices. Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo are particularly charming, but it's also nice to see familiar faces like John Goodman and James Cromwell being at the top of their game. The story naturally fits the medium of a silent film, as the biggest star of the era is suddenly pushed aside by "talkies" and struggling through the biggest crisis of his career and life. But to be honest, if a regular, maybe even color film would have presented the same story, it wouldn't have been much to write home about. As it is, all that works perfectly, even if it's not spectacular by any means. The biggest feat of the film is how easily it switches between comedy and drama and especially how it makes you forget you're used to voices after a while. The actors' faces, gestures and the music are always enough to make it entirely clear what is going on. A sweet, lovable and ultimately optimistic film. It will not trigger a new era of silent films, though.

• Matthew S

  
  Though a fun and unique modern film experience full of charm and high craftsmanship, The Artist does start to overstay it's welcome by the third act.

• Randy T

  
  This is a film that aims for the heart of the nostalgic cinephile and, quite frankly, hits the bullseye.

• Joshua W

  
  This film didn't have the perfect script, it didn't have the perfect director, it didn't have the perfect actors BUT The Artist had the perfect mix of all of the above. I'm not a fan at all of silent films that don't have a purpose. This film did. I… More
  This film didn't have the perfect script, it didn't have the perfect director, it didn't have the perfect actors BUT The Artist had the perfect mix of all of the above. I'm not a fan at all of silent films that don't have a purpose. This film did. I haven't seen a good silent film since my high school film study class. I would put this up with 'The Kid' as timeless silent films. It had a great artistic point to it and had the perfect title. An artist is someone who doesn't compromise his artistic integrity. Jean Dujardin did this spot on. And without giving up any spoilers, let me just say, the ending of this film was perfect. One of my biggest pet peeves of films this year is disappointing ending but this made up for all the terrible endings of other films this year. Well deserved for the Best Picture Award. People look down this film for being black/white silent film but I say, don't knock it til you try it.

• E.J. B

  
  In an age where Hollywood is heading in the direction of big, bloated 3D blockbusters, The Artist reflects on where we were almost a century ago. What was film like back then? In a very unique stylistic choice, French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius decides to give the audience the… More
  In an age where Hollywood is heading in the direction of big, bloated 3D blockbusters, The Artist reflects on where we were almost a century ago. What was film like back then? In a very unique stylistic choice, French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius decides to give the audience the silent film treatment. And yet, this style is very much a way of identifying with the main protagonist, George Valentin. Valentin is the most popular actor of his time. He is a proud man - too proud - but his films make money and audiences love him. That is, until the day that the studios decide to introduce sound into the process. As Valentin is told in a board meeting, audiences loved his face, but they won't love his voice. His days are over - out with the old, in with the new. As his life begins to crumble, a young actress named Peppy Miller replaces Valentin as the most in demand. Interesting enough, Peppy developed a friendship with George prior to his firing. The Artist is a pleasant film, a reflection on a time when sound - something we all take for granted now in watching movies - was completely controversial, threatening to destroy the lives of many established actors and changing the face of Hollywood forever. Today, the evolution of 3D has reached the same level of controversy, and once again seems to be changing the way we will continue to watch movies. In times like these, it's important to reflect on the past. I admire Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who play George and Peppy respectively. They embrace the camera with the same kind of screen presence as Charlie Chapman or Lillian Gish. The soundtrack is equally exquisite, and is a key attribute to invoking the emotional arcs that this story travels through. Yet as much as I enjoyed The Artist, I am weary of the accolades this film is receiving. I don't think it's anywhere near the same league as Singin' In The Rain, still in my opinion the best film ever made about the transition towards "talkies". I find The Artist's story a bit predictable and rather shallow. What saves it for me is the style. In an age where every studio film has sucked the life out of the magic of visual effects, The Artist is wonderfully refreshing, breathing new life and new perspective into a dormant art form.

• Michael S

  
  "The Artist" is a film that above all else displays how inessential modern filmic conventions are when it comes to telling a great story. With dazzling images and inventive film making on display, what more do you really need? Sound? Elaborate special effects? The answer is… More
  "The Artist" is a film that above all else displays how inessential modern filmic conventions are when it comes to telling a great story. With dazzling images and inventive film making on display, what more do you really need? Sound? Elaborate special effects? The answer is none of the above. By bringing cinema back to it's roots, director Michel Hazanavicious has crafted a loving homage to a timeless era, and in the process has created a timeless film all his own.

• Raymond W

  
  Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo are unbelievably amazing in this black and white silent film that is definitely the best film of 2011, followed closely by Matin Scorsese's Hugo. Not being able to express oneself in words, and still have the audience really understand what is… More
  Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo are unbelievably amazing in this black and white silent film that is definitely the best film of 2011, followed closely by Matin Scorsese's Hugo. Not being able to express oneself in words, and still have the audience really understand what is being said, even if you don't get all the exact words (which is mostly possible through lip reading in this film) you still understand the gist of what is said. All the actors in this film are superb. We really feel for them and understand them. Of course with a silent film, I need to say something about the music because it acts as the connector between the audience and the actors on screen. Ludovic Bource's sweeping 1920's style score is wonderful and emotional and is simply put: a masterpiece. Perfectly replicating the 20's and 30's style and charm, beats, instrument selections and more, the Oscar winning score is the perfect compliment to the years crowd-pleasing, and joyous tribute to silent cinema. With dazzling visual style, imagination, and superb performances, The Artist is unforgettable.

• Kase V

  
  'The Artist' is impressive in a number of ways. It is VERY well done in terms of acting, cinematography, score, and overall direction. Also, the film obviously scores very big points for originality. It a unique film, one that probably should not be attempted again. The… More
  'The Artist' is impressive in a number of ways. It is VERY well done in terms of acting, cinematography, score, and overall direction. Also, the film obviously scores very big points for originality. It a unique film, one that probably should not be attempted again. The idea of a silent film in this era never crossed anyones mind. My issue with the film is an obvious one : the entertainment value. The film at times, was very enticing, and other times, i lost interest completely. This is understandable because we are an audience that expects sound as a part of the overall experience, but its an issue i couldnt look over. 'The Artist' deserves a lot of the praise its getting for the uniqueness, althought i still believe Best Picture should go to Alexander Payne's 'The Descendents'.

• Chris M

  
  A true masterpiece! A great throwback to the Golden Age of Cinema and a wonderful film in general. It has a great sense humor and it is very charming. Go see it!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings