The Artist

[Deleted]

Saw it this weekend and loved it - mainly due to Jean Dujardin and Uggie. I liked James Cromwell and Missy Pyle too. It was kind of cool to see Penelope Anne Miller again. She was kind of an It girl in the early 90s but then faded away. Charming is the perfect description for Dujardin. He really lit up the screen. I was very impressed with his dancing too. One of my favorite moments was George's nightmare where he was in a talkie world but unable to talk. Very nicely directed moment. This sounds dumb but I was confused when the police officer talks to him while he's looking in the store window. I thought maybe George had gone deaf. LOL. But clearly I was wrong. It would have been kind of poignant in a way though given his stubborn refusal to embrace talkies.

[forever1267]

"Charming" IS the word for this film. I kept waiting for the film to get overly melodramatic like some of those old silent films and I was worried Uggie wouldn't make it during the fire, but it was a lot of fun. Some really clever ideas with film.

Could have been a tighter script. What happened to Missi Pyle's character, since she was also a silent star? And Penelope Ann Miller's character wasn't really necessary. They could have combined those two characters possibly. And couldn't Peppy Miller have thought of that idea a long time before all this time had passed? It seemed like a logical idea. Ah, pride before a fall I guess.

Jean Dujardin was very charming and handsome and charismatic. I will be happy if he wins the Oscar, and hope to see him again.

Loads of fun, and you will also realize how loud theater goers and snacky snacks can be!/tries to chew popcorn more quietly

[Deleted]

Saw this with a friend the other day and loved it. It had such a great story and I'm so glad it didn't fall into a love triangle cliche. It had really lovely drama and comedy mixed together and was such a nice tribute to silent films.

Jean Dujardin really sold his role. I'd love for him to beat Clooney and Pitt for the Oscar.

[Augustus]

Won 7 BAFTA's tonight, including Best Film and Leading Actor.

[chonies]

This finally came to the back of beyond, and I loved it. I had shielded myself from reading anything about it, so it was all kind of thrill. It was a lot like both A Star is Born and, of course, Singing in the Rain but with more to say. I loved the small details--the only thing that really took me out was the scene with Clifton waiting by the curb, and there was a curb cut. Other than that...it's just a list of love. The destruction of his film reels reminded me of what I'd read about the loss of original prints and exploding film stocks; I got wobbly-lipped when George was standing on the staircase and he realized he was unmoored.

Loved it.

[huntergrayson]

I finally saw this too. Predisposed to like it, but it met my expectations.

Valentine would so have died, given how extremely flammable nitrate film stock was, though.

As with the OSS films, I was highly impressed at the cast-and-crew's insane level of commitment at recreating a era and type of film. I also loved all the LA locations like Cicada and the Bradbury Building.

I was kinda disappointed at the category fraud of putting Bejo in the supporting actress category.

[chonies]

"Predisposed" is incredibly apt. I love the era, and although I'm not much of a joiner, I would totally join a silent movie club the clubs featured on TCM. That is role play I can subscribe to.

[jynni]

Saw this today and was pretty meh on it. The whole silent film aspect felt like a gimmick to hide a crap script. Actually, the whole movie was one gimmick and cliche after another.

Agree that Jean Dujardin was very charming and handsome, however, mugging for the camera doesn't = Oscar worthy in my book.

The female lead was awful. Other than her eyes, her look and physical body type were completely wrong for the era and it was really distracting. Her dancing at the end was terrible.

Liked the dog and the score - that's about it.

[azaleaqueen]

I finally saw it today (didn't think I'd like it) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a minor crush on Jean Dejardin, even though he's young enough to be my son. Dog was adorable.

[Mugsy]

Saw this last night. I went in not expecting a whole lot, but was charmed. A relative saw it and said she fell asleep, but she’s kind of critical and unsophisticated. (Not that I’m all that, but still.)
Not sure if I agree that it deserved Best Picture, but I haven’t seen all the nominated movies yet. I do think Jean Dujardin deserved Best Actor; he conveyed so much with a crook of an eyebrow or a particular smile. I can see why he’s called the French Clooney; he sure has that charming, suave leading man thing going.
Like seeing John Goodman and was relieved to see he has lost some weight. He was getting dangerously obese. I hope the weight has stayed off. Agree that he would have been awesome in the silent film era.
Sorry, don’t remember the main actress (Peppy Miller), but thought she was equally good, very expressive face. I disagree that her body type was wrong for the era – tall and thin and small chested was the desired look with the flapper dresses.
The dog was cute, but I’m not much of a dog person. I can see why they took him along to all the award shows, as he was an equal star of the movie.
There were over 100 people in the theatre of the podunk town where I saw this, mostly older, and they applauded at the end, so I assume it was well-received overall. It was "film fest" night, which certainly weeds out those who wouldn’t care for this style.
If I were to grade it, with A being very good and would watch it again and D being a waste of time and money, I’d give it a B+.