The Artist (I) (2011)

A silent movie star meets a young dancer, but the arrival of talking pictures sends their careers in opposite directions.

Director:

Michel Hazanavicius

Writer:

Michel Hazanavicius

Stars:

Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman

Top 250 #205 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 115 wins & 84 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
Bitsie Tulloch	...	Norma
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:

Silent Film | Dancing | Movie Star | Movie Studio | Newspaper Headline | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [ca]

Country:

France Belgium USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beauty Spot

Filming Locations:

Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$204,878 (USA) (18 November 2011)

Gross:

$44,667,095 (USA) (15 June 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Studio 37, La Petite Reine, La Classe Américaine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming, Jean Dujardin lived in an isolated 1930s house in the Hollywood Hills.

---

Goofs

In the restaurant scene where Peppy is giving an interview, there is a shot from behind where the person wearing the headset has just one ear covered by the headset. In the next shot from the front both his ears are covered.

---

Quotes

George Valentin: Look at what you've become. You've become proud! You've become stupid!

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Bum Reviews: The Artist (2012)
movie is reviewed

---

Soundtracks

"Imagination"
(Linvingston)
©1927 EMI Catalogue Partnership, EMI Robbins Catalog Inc
Performed by Red Nichols and His Five Pennies (as Red Nichols & His Five Pennies)
(p) 1928 The Verbe Music Group c/o Universal
Couresty of Universal Music Vision & EMI Catalogue

User Reviews

A Breath Of Fresh Vintage Air

What a treat. I left the theater sort of floating. Delighted. A European film looking back at Hollywood better than Hollywood has been able to do for years. "A Star Is Born" and "Singing In The Rain" mixed in a glorious black and white cocktail. Silent, yes silent! But with a fabulous score and so much panache. Jean Dujardin is the revelation of the year. What a performance! Running the gamut of emotions, leaving us breathless, and if this wasn't enough, a rousing tap dance routine in the style of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, partnering with the wonderful Berenice Bejo. I know that it's not just me. The audience applauded and cheered as the end credits rolled.