The Artist - 10 stars out of 10

The Artist - 10 stars out of 10

"The Artist" is perfection.  There is not a scene that could find a better angle, a facial expression that could be more vivid, or a musical moment that could be more emotional.  A silent film about the end of the Silent Film Era.  Genius.  The heart of this film is the Oscar-winning musical score written by Ludovic Bource, paying tribute to many film scores over the years while creating a perfect emotional atmosphere (whether it is anger or love) in which the actors can grow without the aid of dialogue.  The score matches the stereotype of silent film music while being fresh, original, and simply heartwrenching at times (particularly the "Vertigo" segment).  Not only is the music incredibly effective, but so is the strategic use of complete silence, creating its own beautiful soundtrack of frustration and contemplation.  The scene with the sound effects was very cool and perfectly supported the storyline of the film.  One of my favorite visuals is the orchestral conductor in the front of the movie house conducting the pit with the film on the big screen behind him.  People from my generation (and a few generations beforehand) never had the opportunity to experience silent films in the theater.  But not only does this film give perspective into this entirely different world, it creates an authentic experience by presenting this film within a film as it would’ve been viewed in the 20’s.  This film won 5 Oscars but easily could have won in all 10 of its nominated categories.  The visuals are so wonderful, incorporating many of the traditional plot devices that you expect to find in a silent film with the refined visual style of today's films.  It seems that the majority of films from the silent era had simple stories that could easily be told without dialogue, but "The Artist" provides vivid character development throughout its complex plot.  How does it work?  Virtuosic acting.  Dialogue is not needed when the faces of these actors tell every emotion and thought.  Jean Dujardin's smile is out of this world - if you didn't know that this film is ficticious, you would assume that George Valentin truly was an actor from the Silent Film Era.  The look of love on his face, his interactions with "The Dog," and his frustrated expressions all give him a very authentic look.  It is no surprise that he won the Oscar for Best Actor.  I was actually quite sad that Bérénice Bejo did not receive an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  She was absolutely charming, from her audition as an extra to her final dance with Valentin - who could resist that smile (and beauty mark)?  John Goodman and James Cromwell were also perfectly cast in their roles.  This film is pure magic.  Typically the dialogue of a film is what stirs my emotions, but this film somehow made me cry my eyes out without a single word, creating one of the most overwhelming and beautiful moments in any film - no need for fancy cinematography or a romantic line.  Simply, a driver entering a car after an auction and a woman visiting the love of her life in a hospital.  And after experiencing every emotion in the book from this simple film, you will lean back and your chair and simply say "Wow."  Once in a generation, there is a film transcends all others.  This is "The Artist."