A film that takes us back to Hollywood in the 1920s, one that is a mostly a silent film shot in black and white, may not have been top cineplex mainstream fare in 2011. But I loved it. THE ARTIST was one of my favorite films of that year -- and the last 10 minutes of THE ARTIST left me in a sheer state of glee. The movie won the Oscar for Best Picture, Michel Hazanavicius won for Best Director Jean Dujardin won for Best Actor. His character, at the open of the movie, is a bit like Gene Kelly's character in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. He's a big star in silent films and he has a very healthy Hollywood ego. Then Hollywood is shaken by a new revolutionary technology called "sound." Talking movies are about to make their debut. Dujardin's egomaniacal silent film actor worries about what sound will do to his career. Also, he becomes attracted to a young Hollywood hopeful, a dancer, but is reluctant to act on his emotion because he is married.
THE ARTIST also features Malcolm McDowell, Penelope Ann Miller, John Goodman and James Cromwell.
Jean Dujardin became the first Frenchman to win the Oscar for Best Actor.
Dujardin is a big, brawny, handsome and extremely versatile, talented actor. So why didn't Hollywood utilize him after he won the Oscar? Do you know? Was his entertainment representation here in America just clueless about his talents? He should've done other lead role in films and been a guest on network TV shows. I saw a couple of his French films and I was quite impressed with his range and bravery as an actor. If you know why Hollywood dropped the ball on getting Jean Dujardin more good roles and exposure here in America after he won the Best Actor Oscar, please let me know.
Here's a trailer for THE ARTIST.
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