The Artists | Movie Review

-
The Artist movie poster
from: heyyouguys.co.uk
"Black and white silent movie - Oh my God!" That is what I had in mind when a friend of mine asked me to watch The Artist together in a cinema. At that time, I was thinking "why should I spend Rp 30,000 just to watch a black and white silent movie?" Now I took back all of my words.

By the time the movie started to play, I was laughing. "Ok, it's weird"

I usually go to a movie theater to watch high definition pictures and ultra bombastic sound qualities. And then, here I was, sitting inside one of XXI's studio, watching black and white films with no human dialogues in it.

As the movie starts, I began to understand what the movie director tries to convey. Weird though, but probably that is what the movie director wants people to experience. He wants people to perceive something "old" as "new".

The opening of the movie is somewhat unique. I am not going to spoil what happens since you need to experience it by yourself. All I can tell is that I love the movie's opening.

The Artist's story is also very simple. You do not even need to think to comprehend what the screen shows you. You just need to follow the storyline. It only tells a story of a professional silent movie actor George Valentine who must face a reality about an end to silent movie. A faithful fan of him - who turns out to be a big actress of non-silent movies - Peppy Miller then tries to help him out during his troubled times, even in secrets.

With such simple story, The Artist could only rely on the strength of its actor and actress's acting. And I can say that both main characters do justice to the movie. Besides, the movie also relies on the cinematography so that audience can enjoy the movie even though it is in "b&w". I think it is no wonder that the movie wins five Oscars in three categories including Best Pictures, Best Actor and Best Movie Director.

I cannot say anymore about this movie. It deserves 8 of 10 stars. 

Comments

  1. Ferrial PondrafiMarch 4, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    OK, i have to say that after reading this post. I'm so much curios bout this movie.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Review | Stream of Tears in Wedding Dress

-
Image
Last Saturday, I got a runny nose -kind of severe, as I recalled- not because of sick, but because I watched a Korean movie entitled WeddingDress . Wedding Dress Movie Poster (link contains spoiler) I have frequently watched Korean movies. In my opinion, they are much better than Indonesian movies. Not that I dislike my country (I just dislike Indonesia’s movies), but yeah, Korean movies have a wide range of preference. You can watch cheesy-funny-romantic movie that make you feel happy and smile all the time. Or try to watch a horror-romanticmovie  that makes you laugh and scared. You can also find cool action movie ! Some movies even make me cry a lot . I really mean it when I say some Korean movies really make me cry so badly. Wedding Dress is one that makes me cry. I am a boy and I cry. So what? I don’t buy the ubiquitous saying ‘Boys don’t cry’. Wedding Dress narrates the life of a single mother, Go-eun, played by Song Yun Ah . Her husband dies already, leaving ...
Continue Reading »»»

Dispelling Disney Princess Myth

-
Image
Cinderella, the Front Runner of Disney Princess The Most Famous Disney Princess according to Wikipedia What is in your mind if I mention Disney princesses? You probably will conjure images of Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and other princesses. They all belong in a realm of American popular culture that is so hegemonic, even in Indonesian culture. We have been so accustomed to these characters that we take them for granted. Once we consume a popular culture product, we also consume the ideology embedded within. What do these princesses teach us, or teach your daughter?   Can I say that Cinderella is a bad girl? Or Snow White as an evil character? No, surely not. They all belong to the ‘good’ girl. They are the protagonist of the story. Then, what are the characteristics of a ‘good girl’ according to the princess above? First of all, a good girl is so kind hearted. She is indeed too kind. Why does Cinderella obey all of her step mother’s request?...
Continue Reading »»»

Ghosts as Popular Culture

-
It’s almost two months, yet the building that houses the famous Haunted House is still swarmed by people. My city, Surakarta, witnesses a popular culture ritual that is unfolding. In this post, I would argue that even ghost now attains a status as a popular culture product. Solo, Javanese Culture, and Mysticism As one of the oldest city in Java, Solo once functioned, and it does still function, as the center of Javanese culture in Indonesia. The Keraton Kasunanan (Kasunanan Palace) which was the ruler of Solo, now serves as the cultural guardian of the city. Tracing back to the history of Solo, an assimilated form of Islam is the biggest influence in the city. I argue this as an assimilated form of Islam to refer to the reality that in Solo, Islam is not practiced solely adapting its Arabic version as taught by Muhammad PBUH. Solonese practice both Islam as inscribed by the holy prophet and Javanese cultural belief ( kejawen ) which includes the rituals which are not inscribe...
Continue Reading »»»