Many people have been dumfounded by the Academy Awards this year.
They want to know how and why The Artist (a silent, black and white film shown on a conventional screen) win the Oscar as Best Picture of the year. How could it be? How did this happen?
In this age of digital, wide screen films with incredible sound, laden with special effects and featuring well-known stars, why did the Academy pick this simple story told in a seemingly bare-bones fashion?
Here's my answer:
The Artist is an homage to the Silent Era and a beautifully rendered love letter to the people who created the movies.
For years Hollywood has neglected the Silent Era. Hollywood has now realized that it was wrong -- that the time had finally come to recognize the people who created the motion picture industry and honor their legacy with the greatest prize of all.
The film also reminds us of the power of the moving image and the depth of human emotions.
In an age of cynicism, confusion, doubt and even despair, this is a sweet and heartfelt film, beautifully acted that gives us something to believe in: true craft, love, loyalty and redemption.
In a time of incessant chatter, The Artist forces us into silence and into the world of the film and its characters.
It is a stunning film, richly detailed and superbly acted with a compelling, universal story.
That's an Oscar-winning film in any era!
BTW: The film is also somewhat based on the actual true story of Greta Garbo and John Gilbert.
It's the Real Deal.
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