(2011) (Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo) (PG-13)
Drama: A silent film star must contend with the threat of "talkies" threatening his career, all while a young starlet quickly rides that new medium to fame.
It's 1927 and George Valentin (JEAN DUJARDIN) is a beloved star of silent films, many of which feature his cute dog as his co-star. That, and the fact that the pooch also upstages her in real life doesn't sit well with George's wife and actress, Doris (PENELOPE ANN MILLER). But George doesn't seem to care, especially since he has loyal chauffeur Clifton (JAMES CROMWELL) at his beck and call.
And then there's the fact that George is the big attraction at Kinograph Studios run by Al Zimmer (JOHN GOODMAN). In fact, the actor has so much power that he casts an extra he previously bumped into at a premiere, Peppy Miller (BERENICE BEJO), into one of his films. But Al sees that times are changing and wants to move over to the new format of "talkies," something that George thinks is a silly fad.
Over the following years, and as Peppy's star rises at the studio, George must contend with his career, marriage and lifestyle he had grown accustomed to diminishing until he's a shadow of his former self.
Those who are fans of classic films and Hollywood of yesteryear might be interested, but that's probably it (a black and white, mostly silent film will probably not be that enticing).
For a disturbing image and a crude gesture.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
JEAN DUJARDIN plays a silent film star whose popularity wanes when he...