Is it any coincidence that the winner of this year’s Best Actor award for comedy or musical at the Golden Globes was Jean Dujardin, the lead actor in Spotlight Films’ upcoming film The Artist and that he beat out the co-lead in Spotlight’s last film, Brendan Gleeson of The Guard? Maybe.
According to the critic site Rotten Tomatoes, The Artist, written and directed by Michael Hazanavicius, (directed The Players), is “ . . . a crowd pleasing tribute to the magic of silent film.”
It is 1927 and Peppy Miller, (Berenice Bejo, Dissonances, A Knight’s Tale) an eager fan of the silent film swashbuckling heart throb George Valentin (Dujardin) crosses a police line outside a movie premiere and kisses the dashing, lovable, and preposterous star with his cartoon-like moustache and eyebrows on the cheek.
A newspaper photographer happens to catch the moment and the headlines reflect it by demanding, “Who’s That Girl?”
Their apparent flirtation and her infatuation with Valentin gets her a break in the movies when Peppy is inspired to audition as a dancer. This beautiful good-natured, young woman impresses George’s producer Al Zimmer (John Goodman, The Big Lebowski) and his chauffeur Clifton (James Cromwell, W, L.A. Confidential). Peppy’s career slowly ascends as she embraces the new era of the Talkie.
Meanwhile George, whose trademark is to appear onscreen with his faithful dog Uggie, dismisses the talking movie as a fad and descends painfully into obscurity.
Their apparent romance is not consummated, as George is not a sleazy cheater, though he is unhappily married. Those who anticipate that the electricity during successive takes of a movie, where Valentin dances briefly with Peppy will lead to sordidness, will be disappointed.
In the opinion of one reviewer however, “The physical consummation is irrelevant: the transactions of power and celebrity are sexier than sex.”
The actors, through much gruelling rehearsal, performed their own dance scenes.
The list of awards this film has been nominated for is staggering. They include several Oscar awards including Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (Dujardin) and Best Original Screenplay.
This film is rated PG-13, there is a crude gesture and a disturbing image.
The Artist will shown at the Gem Theatre 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Spotlight Films would like to thank our sponsors and supporters.
