THE ARTIST

Every so often I witness a film that evokes a feeling that can most closing be described as cinematic ecstasy.  This is what I felt while viewing ‘The Artist’. 

French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius makes his “Hollywood” debut along with French stars Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.  Dujardin and Bejo play George Valentin and Peppy Miller, the fading silent film star and the young up-and-comer respectively, during a time where “talkies” were taking over.  As George slowly realizes his time in the spotlight is over he falls into a state of depression and it is the sweet Peppy, who George helped get into the business, who ultimately rescues not only his career but his life.

The film brings all of the nostalgia of the black and white, silent film era; perfectly realized stories that needed nothing but wonderful scores, smart humor, and strong heartfelt emotion and acting.  The film has it all and unfortunately it is hard for me to articulate it any more than that.  One of my favorite critics over at Movie City News, David Poland, does a great job at describing the film, check out the link; http://moviecitynews.com/2011/09/review-the-artist/.

Great story, great direction, great music, and great acting, this is and will be the best film of 2011, hopefully the Academy gets it right.

And so ends the 2011 Starz Denver Film Festival, hope everyone got the chance to see a film or two, will be seeing Eastwood’s ‘J. Edgar’ this weekend back at Regal in Louisville.

Grade: A+

Oscar Chances:

Best Picture: Lock

Best Director (Hazanavicius): Lock

Best Screenplay (Hazanavicius): Lock

Best Actor (Dujardin): Lock

Best Actress (Bejo): Lock

Best Supporting Actor (Goodman): Possible

Best Score: Lock

Best Cinematography: Highly Likely

Best Editing: Highly Likely

Best Costume Design: Highly Likely

Best Art Direction: Highly Likely