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THE ARTIST (2011)Movie Reviews
English and French language comedy drama about a silent film star who descends into alcoholism after the rise of the talkies. Cast:Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann MillerDirector:Michel HazanaviciusRelease Date:November 25, 2011DVD Release:June 26, 2012From:The Weinstein CompanyLength:1 hr 40 min
The Artist (2011) played to exceptional reviews. • Tom Long wrote in the Detroit News, "...the most surprising and delightful film of 2011." • And Alynda Wheat wrote in People, "It's time to remember how enchanting sitting in a darkened theater in front of a glowing screen can feel.... It's just so easy to love a movie that loves movies." More Reviews Below...
The Artist (2011) Positive Reviews (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Alynda Wheat, People: OUTSTANDING(cg) "It's time to remember how enchanting sitting in a darkened theater in front of a glowing screen can feel.... It's just so easy to love a movie that loves movies."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 103 words, 11/17/11
Jake Coyle, Associated Press: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a loving, irresistibly charming ode to a long-ago movie era that not only summons the dormant conventions of silent moviemaking, but makes them dance again."(See all of Jake Coyle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 690 words, 11/24/11
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the movie's real romance is the one between us, the jaded 21st-century audience, and the mechanical innocence of old movies, which here becomes new again."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 409 words, 11/25/11
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...it doesn't take this captivating and steadily surprising movie very long to tickle your funny bone, take a piece of your heart and pull you in deep.... a total pleasure..."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 310 words, 11/25/11
Claudia Puig, USA Today: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...inventive, visually eloquent and joyously intoxicating... Be prepared to emerge from this enchanting film inclined to do the happy dance the stars perform so charmingly."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 542 words, 11/25/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...one of the most entertaining films in many a moon... charms because of its story, its performances and because of the sly way it plays with being silent and black and white."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 750 words, 12/23/11
Kat Murphy, MSN Movies: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...sure-footed excursion into cinema's past is all artifice, but artifice so artful it feels and looks more real than many a movie unreeling in widescreen color."(See all of Kat Murphy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 893 words, 11/21/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (12 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...a generous, touching and slightly daffy expression of unbridled movie love.... an irresistible reminder of nearly everything that makes the movies great."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 895 words, 11/25/11
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: EXCELLENT(cg) "...it's not enough to have an original idea: It also must be done well. And Michel Hazanavicius has been successful on both fronts."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 264 words, 11/24/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "...combines delightful humor and charm with what movies at their best have always conveyed: the honest power of pure emotion.... something to be thankful for."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 898 words, 11/25/11
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a gorgeous black-and-white love letter to silent Hollywood with old-fashioned English intertitles and just a single line of audible (English) dialogue."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 559 words, 11/25/11
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: OUTSTANDING(cg) "An absolute winner, with romance, comedy, drama -- even dancing. As the old studio moguls used to say: It's got it all."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 460 words, 12/23/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...one of the most entertaining films in many a moon... charms because of its story, its performances and because of the sly way it plays with being silent and black and white."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 750 words, 12/23/11
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...undeniably charming.... pivots on the spry connection between the mute (save for one scene) Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, both nimble performers..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 431 words, 11/23/11
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...while it's not a conventional romance, it's a passion project all the way, made by people with their heads in the present but their hearts in the past. Feel free to swoon along with them."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 632 words, 12/09/11
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...embraces all the tropes of silent cinema (iris shots, titles), sharpening the familiar narrative with a slight edge that should satisfy contemporary tastes."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 113 words, 12/08/11
KEY CITIES (13 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "This one's for all of you!... may be drenched in the romance and visual values of a bygone era, but it's a motion picture uncannily of its time."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,082 words, 12/23/11
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...feels as bold and innovative a moviegoing experience as James Cameron's bells-and-whistles 'Avatar' did a couple of years ago. Retro becomes nuevo. Quaint becomes cool."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 627 words, 12/23/11
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...unusual: The French film has only two words of dialogue, spoken in English... It's sweet, it's funny and surprisingly moving.... one of the year's best..."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 12/23/11
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a small, exquisitely-cut jewel.... It's a story of renewal rather than destruction, and what it mostly renews is our faith in a story well and simply told."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 836 words, 12/23/11
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...works not merely because it's unique (and it's unique, not merely because it doesn't talk). It actually sends you out of the theater happier than when you went in..."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 602 words, 11/25/11
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...evinces such mastery of form that it could easily be mistaken for a real classic.... it is a product of serious study, honest appreciation and love."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 664 words, 12/02/11
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a gentle, wistful tale, but with an ending so joyous and movie-magical that you just might dance out of the theater. (I did.)"(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 460 words, 12/23/11
Shawn Levy, Portland Oregonian: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...utterly exudes charm -- effortlessly, gracefully, without strain or presumption or preening. That's something rare."(See all of Shawn Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 786 words, 12/23/11
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: OUTSTANDING(cg) "For students of cinematic craft, this is a master class, with exquisite black-and-white cinematography, skillful montage sequences and emotive music.... highly entertaining."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 384 words, 12/23/11
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "I've viewed 'The Artist' three times now, and each time the smile on my face grew wider and took longer to wipe away.... it is a masterwork..."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 578 words, 12/22/11
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a brazen stunt that pays off... a disarming valentine to Hollywood that doesn't feel the slightest bit self-congratulatory - an utterly enchanting bauble."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 622 words, 12/23/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...undeniably charming.... pivots on the spry connection between the mute (save for one scene) Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, both nimble performers..."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 431 words, 11/23/11
Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a gold dust movie, a picture whose very boldness lies in its perceived lightness.... perhaps the most modern movie imaginable right now.... deeply enjoyable..."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,077 words, 11/23/11
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...embraces all the tropes of silent cinema (iris shots, titles), sharpening the familiar narrative with a slight edge that should satisfy contemporary tastes."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 113 words, 12/08/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "It's impossible to imagine anyone even remotely connected to Hollywood -- or hoping to bust in -- making a movie this audacious.... I can't stop thinking about this movie."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,026 words, 01/10/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (7 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...too long.... When George and Peppy come on like Fred and Ginger within the glittering confines of an Art Deco set, all flaws are forgotten, all's right with the world."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 132 words, 09/09/11
A.O. Scott, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...a generous, touching and slightly daffy expression of unbridled movie love.... an irresistible reminder of nearly everything that makes the movies great."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 895 words, 11/25/11
Anthony Lane, New Yorker: OUTSTANDING "...a crowd-pleaser that makes you glad to be part of the crowd.... damnably clever... less like an arch conceit and more like the needle-sharp recollection of a dream."(See all of Anthony Lane's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 930 words, 11/14/11
Bob Mondello, NPR: OUTSTANDING "Silent black-and-white movies are not coming back, but this one is such a rewarding labor of love by all the artists involved that it just might make you wish they could."(See all of Bob Mondello's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 637 words, 11/25/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "...combines delightful humor and charm with what movies at their best have always conveyed: the honest power of pure emotion.... something to be thankful for."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 898 words, 11/25/11
Dana Stevens, Slate: VERY GOOD "...essentially a novelty item... slight but enormously likable... clever and delightful... navigates old-Hollywood tropes with the nimbleness of Fred Astaire on roller skates."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 875 words, 11/30/11
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: OUTSTANDING "...finishes with a terrific bang, and positively bursts with affection for an era of American cinema and culture Americans have virtually forgotten."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 512 words, 05/15/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Peter Debruge, Daily Variety: EXCELLENT "...tips its top hat to those late-'20s Hollywood conventions rendered obsolete by the rise of the talkie as a pompous star fails to adapt to the new era."(See all of Peter Debruge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 977 words, 05/15/11
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: EXCELLENT "The filmmakers clearly did their homework and took great pleasure in doing so, an enjoyment that is passed along in ample doses to any viewer game for their nifty little conceit."(See all of Todd McCarthy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 918 words, 05/15/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "...combines delightful humor and charm with what movies at their best have always conveyed: the honest power of pure emotion.... something to be thankful for."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 898 words, 11/25/11
A.O. Scott, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...a generous, touching and slightly daffy expression of unbridled movie love.... an irresistible reminder of nearly everything that makes the movies great."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 895 words, 11/25/11
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...too long.... When George and Peppy come on like Fred and Ginger within the glittering confines of an Art Deco set, all flaws are forgotten, all's right with the world."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 132 words, 09/09/11
12.6 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Artist (2011)'s reviews are separated by an average 12.6 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Artist (2011) (49 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Artist (2011)'s reviews cover 97.6% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 29,168 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 595 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Artist (2011) Coverage, Volume & Length (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 6 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Artist (2011)'s reviews on average broke 6 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Artist (2011)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Artist (2011) (49 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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