THE ARTIST

I showed The Artist to the pensioners at the local cinema this morning. This was the (almost 100%) silent movie, that won most of the main Oscars this year, notably best picture, best director and best actor.

It's very well done, and looks like an old silent film, including the slightly jerky movements that they had in those days when film speeds were slower. It's also a nice story, about a silent movie star, George Valentin, coping with the arrival of sound at the end of the 1920's, and being redeemed by the new star of the "talkies", whom he discovered by chance.

But is it really the best film to have been made during the past twelve months, better than (say) the Iron Lady which I saw not long ago? I have to say no, not in my view. I think it got chosen, since it's a film that makes Hollywood feel good about itself, with a bit of nostalgia and a nod to the old days.

Still, it's worth going to see if you get the chance. Mission Impossible 4 is coming up soon, that will be a bit different. 

Walter Blotscher