The Artist

[McG]

I have to say that I found it very good and interesting experiment. I was at Braehead and like most other postings the cinema was very quiet. Yinster & I had a bet about how many people would leave once they discovered it was B&W and silent. In fact, none left. The audience seemed to react well to the film with a few laughs. I do think that people who have already watched old B&W silent films (Chaplin, LLoyd, etc) would find it easiest to relate to The Artist. I enjoyed the film but have to say that I would not want to see this experiment used again. Yes, it was good but it should remain as a "one off".

i thought you had a wee snooze cos I heard a snore. That's why I nudged you.

Moi????? I think you are right! Well spotted!

[alythonian]

Saw this in Edinburgh tonight - it was full.

I thought some would leave when they discovered it was silent and B/W but no give them their due, they all stayed.

I loved this. It was good to use my brain and engage my imagination and perhaps p*y more attention to the screen and the acting not having words to distract.

I also thought that the score was wonderful and really suited the picture.

Uggy the dog wins my vote for an Oscar this year.

One of thhe best films of the year for me.

[havingascreen]

Saw this in Edinburgh tonight - it was full.

I thought some would leave when they discovered it was silent and B/W but no give them their due, they all stayed.

I loved this. It was good to use my brain and engage my imagination and perhaps p*y more attention to the screen and the acting not having words to distract.

I also thought that the score was wonderful and really suited the picture.

Uggy the dog wins my vote for an Oscar this year.

One of thhe best films of the year for me.

Sound...who needs it?? The cinematography in this movie was stunning and the psychology behind the shots expertly done. The dog gave it a cutsie feel perfect for the era, as did the romantic storyline.

The anticipation of hearing his voice and then...allore.

Loved it, best film I’ve seen this year 10/10

[redgrant]

"We need to talk, George" - my favourite line.

Interesting, refreshing and different. Full of lovely touches (like him and his career literally disappearing into the quicksand, his nightmare scene and of course that Jack Russell). Plus a great score that propels the film along. Not sure whether it should really be talked up as Oscar material though. After all, talented as Dujardin is, it's just very good mimickry or pastiche of the silent era and nothing more than that.

[Octopus]

Aww, you all (or quite) seem to have enjoyed it a lot! I can't wait being tomorrow night! I'm watching a few Buster Keaton movies tonight (another love of my life) so I guess I won't be disturbed by the silence and b&w tomorrow :)

[filmcat]

Really enjoyed 'The Artist'

Refreshingly different from some of the trash these days!!!

Well produced with The Dog making it extra special and comical!

Also an insight of those good ole cinematic days!!!

[cinefila1]

you could hear a pin drop at Westfield. Apart from the clown who came in an hour after it started, and sat behind me with rustling paper bags

I was so engrossed in the story I did not notice any latecomers!

Uggie, the Jack Russell, stole the show for me. Apparently he recently won the Palm Dog for his acclaimed performance in The Artist. He also appeared as Queenie in Robert Pattison's Water for Elephants.

[stuartboy]

This film is marmite, and I hated it.

Yay! Thank you Steve! That is all - just thank you. I thought I was going to be hauled over the coals here.
It was crap! I kept expecting it to come out of b+w mode and out of silent mode to complete the story - which I appreciated, but to almost keep in silent film mode was just a bore. It did have a few inspired moments of wit, but they were far too few and far between.

I am thinking Emporer's New Clothes here?

(and this is he who stood up for Trespass. Haha!)

I'll give it a single solitary point - purely for the dog!

1/10

[stuartboy]

I have to say that I found it very good and interesting experiment. I was at Braehead and like most other postings the cinema was very quiet. Yinster & I had a bet about how many people would leave once they discovered it was B&W and silent. In fact, none left. The audience seemed to react well to the film with a few laughs. I do think that people who have already watched old B&W silent films (Chaplin, LLoyd, etc) would find it easiest to relate to The Artist. I enjoyed the film but have to say that I would not want to see this experiment used again. Yes, it was good but it should remain as a "one off".

i thought you had a wee snooze cos I heard a snore. That's why I nudged you.

I had five snoozes...and desperately wanted a sixth but couldn't!

[Jayman]

This was the first of my double feature tonight. I must say, I went in expecting cinematic brilliance and walked out only somewhat satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a good movie, and I do admire the sheer bravery of its makers, not to mention the two main stars (& the doggie) who needed to emote through mere facial gestures … but I damn near nodded off somewhere in the middle. The lack of dialogue, all those silences and that oh so soothing music brought back memories of “Tree of Life” (not good ones, mind you). It was an intriguing experience, but probably not one I’d like to relive.

I do have to give credit where credit is due though - Jean Dujardin’s performance was spectacular! It almost felt as if he were channeling Clarke Gable himself. And [spoiler]that one line he delivered at the end, spoke volumes as to why he just couldn’t embrace the talkie technology. That was an absolutely ingenious little twist.[/spoiler]
His co-star Bérénice Bejo too was excellent. I could just not get over how much she resembled one of my very close friends.

Oh and *bonus* I got to meet my first FMUKer tonight - the lovely Valda. No more living in the shadows for me *sigh*
She and Cellini dearest are the two sweethearts who made it possible for me to see this movie.