The film "Artist" is the winner of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. But you need to see the picture not only for this reason. Both viewers and critics agree that this is the best romantic tragicomedy of recent years. What is the movie about?
Instruction manual
1
Director Michel Hazanavicius made a touching picture, which makes you wonder if sound is needed at all in a movie. And not only about that. The plot is simple - George Valentine, once a famous actor, a silent movie star of the 20s, is still basking in the glory and delight of the public. But the alarm bell rang already: the sound movie is gaining strength. Where this will lead, so far few are thinking.
2
George accidentally meets a young chorus girl, Peppy Miller, and nobly helps her get a role in a tiny movie episode. And then he forgets about the existence of the girl. Meanwhile, the producer of the film studio declares to the actor that the public requires her idols to own a voice. But the star does not listen to the words of the head of the studio, slams the door and begins to shoot a silent picture with his own money, which, he is sure, will become great.
3
Peppy at that time was making great strides in sound cinema, her career was going up. And in America, a financial crisis is coming, the Great Depression will happen soon. Not surprisingly, Valentine’s venture with a dumb picture crashes. Gradually, he slides to the bottom, begins to drink, loses fans and friends. Nearby is only a faithful dog, a charming Uggie Terrier. The dog, by the way, also received a prize at the Cannes Film Festival - for the best "dog" role.
4
Unknown statistics Peppy Miller becomes a star, and fate brings her again with George. The girl loves him and does not let Valentine die, does not turn away from the former idol.
5
It should be noted that the film "Artist" is not only black and white, but also mute, sustained in the aesthetics of the era he is talking about. But all this does not hinder watching him in one breath. No wonder the hall of the Cannes Film Festival after watching the picture ten minutes applauded standing. Having looked at this tape, one involuntarily thinks: “Or maybe Viktor Shklovsky was right when he claimed that a talking movie is not needed just like a singing book?”
