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“The Artist” at Cannes: A remarkable achievement
Cannes isn’t known for its lighthearted fare. But “The Artist” has to be one of the warmest, uplifting, brilliantly conceived movies to play here in the past decade.
Director Michel Hazanavicius has created something that will make American audiences marvel: He has re-created Hollywood of the 1920s, as an homage to film history. Although the director and his stars are French, “The Artist” was shot in California and has a thoroughly American look and feel.
And how did this director do it? Well, he shot it in black and white, and he made it silent. Yep, you read that right. A silent movie in Cannes.
As with the great silent movies, the score plays a major part. And Ludovic Bource makes the most of it by blending original tunes with those of the greats.
Jean Dujardin stars as a famous silent actor whose life turns upside down with the advent of the talkies. Berenice Bejo, the wife of the director, plays the ingenue who leads the way to the motion picture revolution. (The director, it should be noted, shot the scenes in real-life Hollywood spots, including Mary Pickford’s home.)
Director of photography Guillaume Schiffman creates gorgeous black-and-white scenes. And director Hazanavicius shows a remarkable ability to weave in humor and pathos amid a budding romance.
John Goodman, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller stand out in the supporting cast.
But the biggest point to make about “The Artist” is this: It should reinvigorate interest in the classic silent movies of Hollywood. It’s just a bit odd that the French had to lead the way.
(Note: “The Artist” has been picked up by the Weinstein Co. for distribution in the U.S. It was a late entry in the festival competition, but it’s sure to be one of the frontrunners.)
From left, actors Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and director Michel Hazanavicius pose during a photo call for The Artist, at the 64th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
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