Who could have predicted that a black- and-white silent movie set in Hollywood in the Roaring Twenties would have le tout Cannes roaring its appreciation from the stalls? But yesterday’s screening of The Artist, by Michel Hazanavicius, was a joy, full of modern irony, old-fashioned flapper dresses and matinee idol pencil moustaches. The film’s score mixes genius and parody, and there are some surprising moments when it goes talkie, as silent movies and stars are tossed aside.
Warner Bros and Harvey Weinstein have already got their mitts on it, meaning that there will be a release beyond the arthouse — no translation needed. The Artist is not merely an amusing addition to the Palme d’Or, but a sure-fire winner of the Palm Dog award,