The Artist (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 157 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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture

Did You Know?

Trivia

In solitude, George views a reel from one of his silent swashbucklers through a film projector centered within his apartment. The film is in fact a genuine silent film, The Mark of Zorro (1920), which established its star, Douglas Fairbanks, as a real-life silent era action hero and matinée idol, the kind George Valentin is portrayed as being within the film. The scene from Zorro is altered, however, substituting actor Jean Dujardin as George for Fairbanks for the close-up shots.

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Goofs

When Peppy and George meet again on the stairs in the studio office, after she gives him her phone number, George walks down the stairs, and when he's almost at the bottom step, Peppy whistles at him and does a little dance routine and throws him a kiss. In the next wide shot we see George standing almost on the top step again, where he was standing while they were having their conversation.

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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?

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are styled after the style of opening used in the 1920s and 1930s, complete with technical credits shown the way they would have been then.

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Connections

Spoofed in Saturday Night Live: Zooey Deschanel/Karmin (2012)

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Soundtracks

Love Scene
Music by Bernard Herrmann
Conducted by Elmer Bernstein
Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
©Sony/ATV Harmony (cat. Famous)
(p) & (c) 1992 MILAN Entertainment, Inc.
Courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing France & Milan Entertainment, Inc.

User Reviews

A unabashed love letter to Hollywoodland

This is a treat. Charismatic leads with chemistry and talent, in a love story that plays as a pitch perfect homage to vintage Hollywood features, whilst never tipping over into parody, and that's no mean feat. The period detail is outstanding: film stocks, tints, (heck even the frame weave), captions and montage are all on the money.

There's an evocative score, an imaginative use of silence, wonderful locations and costume. All rounded off by a top notch cast which includes a brilliant dog. Dujardin is every inch the charming 20's star and Bejo is sassy, surefooted and gorgeous. Go see this people. They do make 'em like they used to!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook [Germany]

Country:

France Belgium USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

20 January 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beauty Spot

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