I can surely say about this movie: 'Expressions at its best'. It is a must watch for those who love theatre. The story takes you to 1927 to 1932. The perfection of direction is such that you will feel yourself to be at that era. All the actors, rather artists were such as if they were imported from that period to act in the movie. So are the film; silent (with background music) and black and white. It portrays the story of an artist (George Valentin) of silent film who ignores and under evaluates the importance of onset of talkies film. He enjoys the idea that talking in the movie is a distraction for the artist as well as audience. While dissenting to his film producer’s opinion, he says with anger (via Title cards) “Go make your talking movies. I am going to make them a beautiful film.” For him beauty lies in the expression of an artist rather than voice. On the other hand, a lady (Peppy Miller), once his fan, rises to become popular actor in the talkies film. The first sound, apart from the background music, comes when George Valentin is in his dressing room and his glass makes a sound when he puts it on the table. No title cards, we actually hear this. He is astonished with the sound, so taps it again. The same sound repeated. He gets up from chair, the chair makes a sound. George is worried. He says something to dog, no sound comes of his mouth but the dog starts barking, and yes we could hear that too. He noticed that everything has started talking and he is still mute. Of course this scene was in his dream, but the dream bothered him as it showed how he would be left behind time. The romantic comedy drama continues with the fall of his idea of dejecting talkies and his career. In the mean time his romance strengthens with Peppy Miller. Later at the end she helps him to get out of depression of his failure and persuades him to enter the talkies. The only dialogue from the protagonist George Valentin is heard at the last scene when he gives a performance and director requests him for once more. He replies with a deep French accent “With Pleasure!”
It is amazing that a movie with almost no voice can be so profound. A speechless movie leaves you speechless! As the movie progresses you will feel that you have gone to past. If you are a keen observer, you would notice how meticulously sets, dress and other ephemeras have been chosen to represent it of 30’s. Even the least noticed things like the font of written English, handbag the actress carries, the shape of the bottle of liquor, design on the headboard of bed, be it anything they justify their presence. The director Michel Hazanavicius has done his homework well, that’s for sure! It’s a completely different movie. Go for a change!
