The Artist
Originally published on social media on March 23rd, 2022
Let me take you on a trip down memory lane. Twas a cold and rainy Washington Day when we decided to see The Artist. I was in the 7th grade and knew about the silent film era, but never watched a silent film and certainly not on the big screen. Magic was in the air that day, and every time I decide to watch this film, it comes right back to me.
The Artist made a huge impact on me and I’m pretty sure I saw it in theaters multiple times for that reason. It was The Artist that taught me more about 20’s/30’s than I learned about in school. Reflecting on movie experiences like these, I realize maybe I’ve always loved history, but just didn’t know it right away.
This is one of the first movies I remember owning as a teenager, and I was so grateful when I received it as a gift. The 2012 Oscars are something I remember clearly too as I was cheering on The Artist (as if was watching a football game) hoping it would win as many awards as possible. Sure enough, it won best picture, best directing, and Jean Dujardin won best actor.
Somehow, that was only ten years ago! Does ten years feel like a life time or like the blink of an eye? Can it feel like both at the same time? Honestly, that’s the essence of this film: history is always near us even when it feels far away. The Artist is so full of the nostalgia of 100 years ago that we are all familiar with, even if we have never seen a silent film. Only using what it needs, this movie speaks to the soul in the midst of silence, and opens our eyes using only black and white.
This film is a reminder that art can come out of simplicity and that movies don’t need so many effects in order to tell a great story. We can feel love, sadness, humorous, vulnerable, and ever so alive in the most quiet and simple moments.
Maybe this was more of a trip down memory lane than a review, but sometimes I think stories speak better than the discussion of elements and critiques. Hopefully you get the notion that the acting, the cinematography, everything was great in this film and I hope everyone sees this at least once in their lives. I miss this film, and look forward to watching it again soon!