Preview: The Artist (2011)

Synopsis:

A popular matinee idol of the silent film era finds himself falling out of grace with the public while the protege whose career he bolstered finds unmitigated success.

• Poster: B+

Review:

I often gripe about posters that are too minimal, hoping to catch the audience off guard with their simplicity. Many of those posters don't know how to work their subjects. This poster does just what it needs to do to intrigue the viewer.

• Trailer: A-

Review:

When you're trying to sell a silent film, you're already at a difficult crossroads. How much do you tell the audience without turning them away. This trailer does a fine job giving the viewer enough dramatic composition to make them intrigued. The music is outstanding and that often makes or breaks a silent picture even if it won't be played on an organ in your local theater. I wasn't sold on the idea at first because I had only heard snatches of info from its premiere at Cannes, but this has sold me on the film.

Oscar Prospects:

How audiences react could determine how popular this is with the Academy. The Academy is frequently hobbled in its ability to recognize films that hearken back to the glory days of motion pictures. Neither Chaplin nor Gods and Monsters cracked the Best Picture list even though their leads did. So this could be a breakthrough role for Jean Dujardin who looks amazing in this preview.

Release Date:

• November 25, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (August 28, 2011) Original

-Wesley Lovell (November 20, 2011) New Release Date (changed from 11/23/11)