O Artista (2011)

An egomaniacal film star develops a relationship with a young dancer against the backdrop of Hollywood's silent era.

Director:

Michel Hazanavicius

Writer:

Michel Hazanavicius

Stars:

Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman

Won 5 Oscars. Another 156 wins & 204 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Dujardin	...	George Valentin
Bérénice Bejo	...	Peppy Miller
John Goodman	...	Al Zimmer
James Cromwell	...	Clifton
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Doris
Missi Pyle	...	Constance
Beth Grant	...	Peppy's Maid
Ed Lauter	...	Peppy's Butler
Joel Murray	...	Policeman Fire
Elizabeth Tulloch	...	Norma (as Bitsie Tulloch)
Ken Davitian	...	Pawnbroker
Malcolm McDowell	...	The Butler
Basil Hoffman	...	Auctioneer
Bill Fagerbakke	...	Policeman Tuxedo
Nina Siemaszko	...	Admiring Woman (as Nina Siemazko)

Storyline

Outside a movie premiere, enthusiastic fan Peppy Miller literally bumps into the swashbuckling hero of the silent film, George Valentin. The star reacts graciously and Peppy plants a kiss on his cheek as they are surrounded by photographers. The headlines demand: "Who's That Girl?" and Peppy is inspired to audition for a dancing bit-part at the studio. However as Peppy slowly rises through the industry, the introduction of talking-pictures turns Valentin's world upside-down.

---

Plot Keywords:

homage | showbiz comedy | 1920s | movie studio | movie star | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

M/12

Did You Know?

Trivia

The faux film credits that are shown to illustrate Peppy's rise to stardom contain at least two "Easter eggs" - a credit for "Uggie" as "The Dog" (Uggie being the real name of the canine actor playing George's dog) and a credit for "Alan Smithee", a popular pseudonym used by directors who don't want to receive credit on a picture.

---

Goofs

The dateline on the "WHO'S THAT GIRL?" edition of Variety reads, "LOS ANGELES, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1927," making it a rare triple blooper. In reality, that particular date fell on a Tuesday, not a Sunday. Additionally, the cost of a real-life Variety from September 7, 1927 was still 20 cents, so the date of September 6 on the prop paper is at odds with its emblazoned 25-cent price. Lastly, the Los Angeles version Daily Variety, with its square focus on the film industry, was not published until 1933 (coincidentally, on September 6). All prior editions had come from New York and were so labeled.

---

Quotes

Peppy Miller: [trying to pressure the studio into letting her do a film with George] I won't work anymore. It's either him or me.
[Zimmer appears bemused]
Peppy Miller: What I mean is, it's him AND me! Or it's neither of us!
[everybody is still looking at her blankly]
Peppy Miller: Hey, I'm blackmailing you! Get it?

---

Crazy Credits

In the credits for the baseball movie, "Jackie Cooler" plays "The Fridge."

---

Connections

Spoofed in The Fartist (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Pennies From Heaven
Texte by Johnny Burke, Music by Arthur Johnston
©Chappell & Co. - 1936
Courtesy of Warner Chappell Music France

User Reviews

Genius

I'm getting tired of reviewing other peoples' work, when I want to be shooting my own stuff, but this film really was a stroke of genius.

Who says they don't make black and white silent films anymore? Before the days of talkies, musicals (much less sci-fi blockbusters and CGI fests) there were the likes of Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplain and a host of others who are now immortalized in American (and now global) cinematic culture.

Old fashioned film making with modern film making techniques, and a few rifts on an old formula with a contemporary twist. Me, I really didn't get the whole romance thing, but that's just me. It seemed a bit over the top. But, the film is what it is.

Give it a shot. It's worth a view, though I might only recommend it to die hard film aficionados.

Enjoy.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook [Germany]

Country:

France Belgium USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

2 February 2012 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

O Artista

Filming Locations:

Fremont Mansion - 56 Fremont Place, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$204,878, 27 November 2011

Gross USA:

$44,671,682

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$133,432,856

Company Credits

Production Co:

Studio 37, La Petite Reine, La Classe Américaine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1