Review of The Artist (2011) by Jesse B — 11 Jan 2013

Of all the endlessly fascinating stories one might hope to dedicate to film (or digital medium which seems to be the modern trend), Hollywood seems especially enamored of its own inner workings and histories, with its glitz and glamor and illusive dreams of one day striking it big as a star. And although this well is not completely dry as of yet (Hugo being my favorite movie of 2011 which tackled a similar, albeit much more elaborate subject), it quickly approaches the point of utter emptiness. The Artist, in my attempt to describe its affect on this viewer, is tedious. Although one might see the allure of harkening back to the olden days of silent film with an modern homage to its pioneering spirit, this film lacks in all of the creative originality which drove such true artists as Charlie Chaplin, Carl T. Dryer, and Fritz Lang to fetes of monumental storytelling. In a word this film relies on a gimmick of sorts: pander to the audience by giving them a silent film which does only what has been done so many times before. Case in point, Singin' in the Rain told very much the same story, but did it in the full glory of its own artistic inspiration.

In this same year director Martin Scorsese paid his respects to the early works of silent cinematic visionary, George Milies in his film adaptation of the children's book The Invention of Hugo Cabret. In telling this tale of silent cinematic invention, Scorsese looked forward instead of behind. Where The Artist sought to recreate the characteristics of a 1920's Hollywood silent film verbatim, Scorsese thought it best to honor the innovator by using the latest innovations in cinematic technology available today. In doing so he crafted one of the most magical and endearing love letters to silent cinema since the days in which they gloried in.

I do not care for this film, The Artist for the reason that it lacks any artistic spark to begin with, relying solely on gimmick and recycled material one could find done ten times better in a film from the era in which it so desperately wishes to portray.