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THE ARTIST (PG13) -Baxter
Ave Theatres
Hollywood 1927. Silent movie matinee idol George Valentin
(Jean Dujardin, the charismatic star of OSS 117: Cairo,
Nest of Spies) is enjoying the good life, although he
seems fonder of his faithful dog than of his trophy wife
(Penelope Ann Miller). He meets funny, sexy young extra Peppy
Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a dancer set for a big break, and
sparks fly. With the advent of the talkies George's career
nosedives, while Peppy's takes off. The Artist is the
charming and poignant story of their interlinked destinies—a
delightful valentine to the love of cinema, with a tip of the
hat to Singin' in the Rain and A Star Is Born.
Writer/director Michel Hazanavicius (who also directed the
OSS 117 films) daringly shot the film completely in the
style of a silent feature, in black and white and without
sound (with a few striking exceptions), filmed on location in
Hollywood, set to a wonderful original score by Ludovic Bource.
Winner of the Best Actor Award (Dujardin) at the 2011 Cannes
Film Festival. Co-starring John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell, and
James Cromwell. |