The Artist

[midian]

add me to the list of people who enjoyed this. it was truly charming. will prob be recommending this a the main xmas film for friends. i did think it drifted a little in the middle but returned to form by the end.

There were two subtle touches I noticed on the second viewing that I loved. One was when George finds Peppy in his dressing room. When he speaks to her there's a movie poster in the background that says "The Thief Who Stole Her Heart" (the wording my not be exact) and then when he exits the auction house the marque says "Lonely Star" as he walks down the street. Brilliantly done.

i also noticed little the background touches - the 'thief of her heart' really made me smile. i noticed one of the subsidiary headlines in a newspaper also alluded to the plot. but it was on screen so briefly, and i struggled to read it and the main headline. i suspect that there many other very clever little bits for the observant viewer.

[Bibby]

I went to watch this yesterday at Vue Islington and I totally loved it!! I've never seen a silent movie before and this was so enjoyable. Gave me a taste of what movies used to be like before sound.

The music was beautiful, filming great, actors great, storyline good and Uggy the Jack Russell terrier was simply adorable! I was unsure of how I would take to it, but I thought it was really good.

I highly recommend even if just to see something different... It's not everyday you'll see a French, silent, black & white movie set in the 1920s is it! :)

Definitely will be looking into renting some old black & white silent movies to watch at home!

[Bibby]

I did mention this to Valda yesterday but for all of your benefits, if you guys haven't seen "Silent Movie" (the old 1976 Mel Brooks classic) please do give it a go! It's a little dated by today's standards but still absolutely hilarious.

Have added to my rental list - this has been recommended to me before. Really looking forward to it! :)

[jeanelle]

Just loved it and agree with all the positive comments above. I think it definitely deserves a second viewing to pick up all the little touches but I was totally absorbed and entertained throughout.

[Celini]

could anybody recommend any good silent movie?
I am speaking affordable super 8 (from Ebay?)... I am feeling like getting my super 8 projector out again!

[JazzyC]

Everyone has said it really - charming, touching with lots of fascinating subtle moments. The main performances were lovely and very captivating. I am very glad and went and saw it - though I guess I was expecting to enjoy it more than I did and 'see' more in it really - perhaps it was the hype? It was a very interesting project to make a film like this in the modern day - but as has been said, certainly a one off - it could not be done again.

It really has inspired me to want to watch some classic old silent movies though - which I think has to be a good thing.
There were a couple of really old ladies at our screening - they looked to be the oldest I have ever seen at a free screening and they were comparing Valentin to Valentino in their seats as we were leaving - good that this was a film that could offer something to the non-traditional audience for once. A couple of people were dancing 20's style as they left so I think most of the audience got something out of it.

7/10 from me - my DH loved it though - so 9/10 from him. An enjoyable and different night at the cinema.

[hlm]

I really enjoyed it. It was such a different film cleverly put together. Surprised myself by enjoying a silent movie.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

could anybody recommend any good silent movie?
I am speaking affordable super 8 (from Ebay?)... I am feeling like getting my super 8 projector out again!

Wow, I'm impressed! I know you're a film connoisseur but owning a Super 8 ranks you that step higher

You probably already have a broader range than most of us but my favourite silent movies (I havent a clue about their availability on Super 8) are City Lights (Chaplin), Sherlock Jr (Buster Keaton), Metropolis (Fritz Lang), Gold Rush (Chaplin), The Kid (Chaplin), A woman of affairs (Greta Garbo, she was awesome), Safety Last (Harold LLoyd), Birth of a Nation (actually not my favourite but it is considered to be one of the greatest)

To be honest I want to widen my range too, my exposure is too much on the comedy side...I have seen most Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and L&L films but there is a wealth of other great serious/drama films out there of which I only tasted.

Found this link:

http://www.silentera.com/info/top100.html

Seems like a list you can go through

[TheDude]

A little behind the scenes featurette.. How can anyone not love this film!? I'll admit, I went to see it again last night! It's still a perfect 10.

[elski]

wow! thanks thedude, it's strange seeing the colour of some of the costumes and John Goodman looks like he's a lot bigger again, maybe B&W is more slimming? and 5 months training for the dance at the end but was worth it.