Review - The Artist

Warning: Club Members will recognize that the following is not my typical review. Every so often, a film stirs up some emotions that even surprise me. This is one of them.

As I learned from screening The Artist, dialogue is only one key element of a film. Music, cinematography, pacing, sequencing and facial expressions also effectively tell a story. But since the advent of sound in film, dialogue became a central element; and why not? Verbal communication is natural - we express facts, details, judgements and emotions through words. Why, then, revive an outdated art form that eliminates the basic human instinct to speak? The Artist is not necessarily a throw back to the old era of silent film; rather it is a metaphor, an age old, timeless lesson for everyone to either remember or learn for the first time, even though every generation thinks it is unique to their current era: progress vs. tradition; youth trumps old; Kindle Fire or physical books. I went in thinking this film would be a lot about Hollywood navel gazing, harkening back to a golden age of cinema by celebrating its past dominant history in the current era that sees film revenues and attendance slipping. To my surprise, I left feeling a little sad and confused, not about the movie, but about myself. Am I being left behind in our new technology age? Am I the silent film star, watching new technology pass me by - resisting the new timeline feature in Facebook; refusing to subscribe to streaming Netflix by clinging to the little red envelopes; resisting to revert to e-cards at Christmas by continuing to mail out cards with stamps? I could not understand why a silent film - about Hollywood - was getting so much buzz; I do now. This film forces you to look into the EYES of the actors and see not just those on the screen but your own persona. You’ll have to see the movie and gage if you have the same reaction as I did. So many people have resisted seeing this film; I am glad I was not one of them because it forced me to look at myself. Do you have the same courage to do so? Perhaps you will not have the same reaction that I did; if you do, get ready for some thoughtful reflection. Can I be saved or am I the fading silent film star? Well, time will only tell.

Rating: B