The Artist Review: Clark Gregg Delivers His Best Performance Since the MCU

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It’s rare for a TV show to keep its initial excitement throughout its entire run, but this one does. Created and directed by Aram Rappaport for The Network, this captivating murder mystery is set in the glamorous Gilded Age and features a talented cast playing famous figures of the time, like Thomas Edison, Edgar Degas, and Evelyn Nesbit.

This show is a tribute to creative people – those still making art, those who’ve stepped away, and even those who simply love to watch. It’s a visually stunning experience, with each episode packed with energy thanks to its quick pace, dynamic camerawork, and powerful music. However, this constant intensity can be both exciting and overwhelming. While it’s designed for artists, it might appeal most to people who thrive in energetic, chaotic environments, and less to those who need calm to focus and create.

The Whodunit Gets a Historical Fiction Makeover in The Artist

The series, set in the early 1900s (often referred to as the Gilded Age), depicts a time of significant change in America. Large numbers of Europeans were immigrating, new technologies were emerging, and there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Powerful families like the Henrys – Norman and Marian, played by and Janet McTeer – held considerable influence, but maintaining their wealth wasn’t easy. Their marriage is strained, with Marian describing a period where they actively disliked each other. Norman, focused on social standing, frequently hosted prominent figures at their home.

The series immediately reveals Norman’s death in 1906, told by Marian, which creates a mystery around how it happened. The story unfolds like a chain reaction, suggesting that even seemingly small, insignificant moments can have major consequences and ultimately lead to this tragic event. While a suspect is introduced early on, the narrative cleverly demonstrates how a series of unrelated events contribute to the final outcome.

While audiences will likely be captivated by The Artist, the mystery of Norman’s death isn’t what truly drives the story. When the show is at its best, you get lost in the interconnected subplots exploring art and the pursuit of the American dream. The second episode delves into Marian’s college years, showing the challenges she faced as a pioneering woman in higher education and the discrimination she experienced.

Young Lilith, a French ballerina played with nuance by Ana Mulvoy Ten, reflects Marian’s inner life. While Lilith’s story sometimes feels drawn out and repetitive amidst the changing cast of characters, the show finds moments of grace in watching her dance, even as she’s manipulated and mistreated. Similarly, though less refined, Marian’s passionate outbursts and boxing practice, as portrayed by McTeer, possess a raw energy. It’s refreshing to see an older woman in a historical drama who is strong, flawed, and speaks her mind, adding a welcome edge to the series.

The Artist’s Cinematography Takes a Page Out of Poor Things’ Book

The series centers around Edgar Degas, played by [actor’s name], and is inspired by the life of the famous French Impressionist painter. The show explores Degas’s troubled search for purpose and creativity. It depicts his later years, including his declining vision, and portrays him as a deeply flawed man struggling with his surroundings, often hearing things he can’t see.

Okay, so this character is hilarious because he’s totally lost in the drama of this couple’s marriage. He’s an outsider looking in, and everything they’re fighting about just flies over his head. Plus, his innocent interest in Marian gets completely misinterpreted as him being a suitor! Honestly, watching him try to navigate their world is like being the audience – completely bewildered by the sheer mess of it all. He’s basically us, just trying to figure out what’s going on!

Despite primarily taking place within the Henry mansion, The Artist creates a surprisingly expansive world. Luca Fantini’s cinematography is dynamic and thrilling, perfectly complementing the show’s fast-paced and unpredictable script. It shares a similar adventurous spirit with films like Parasite, which clearly influenced its style. While not as visually vibrant, the series uses rich browns and striking neutral tones to effectively convey the economic anxieties of the time period.

For viewers primarily focused on the story, the technical aspects of The Artist can be distracting. Director Rappaport sometimes has trouble harmonizing the unusual storyline, visuals, and music. When these elements are crammed together, it can feel overwhelming, making it hard to follow the plot. Ironically, these moments of sensory overload actually make the show feel more engaging than intended. It’s unclear if Rappaport aimed to bombard the audience with everything at once, or to deliver a clear and compelling story about the Gilded Age.

Clark Gregg Gives a Career Best Performance in The Artist

While the show features a lot of celebrity appearances which are entertaining, it’s a shame more creators don’t explore this format. The Artist generally sticks to real historical events, presenting them accurately. However, the show also spices things up with rumors and conspiracy theories to create more excitement. For example, a storyline about Thomas Edison is full of scandalous details that would have been perfect gossip for society ladies of the time.

The show features a large number of historical characters, which means many actors have limited screen time. Clark Gregg delivers a standout performance as Henry Kendall Thaw, the man who famously killed Stanford White in public. Gregg brilliantly portrays Thaw not as a terrifying villain, but as a rather pitiful and foolish figure, showcasing his talent for both comedy and nuanced character work.

He clearly enjoyed playing this physically demanding role, a significant departure from his popular character Phil Coulson in the Marvel movies. The cast of The Artist feels more like a collaborative theater troupe than a typical film ensemble.

What makes The Artist really shine is its acting, beautiful visuals, and unique approach to historical storytelling. It’s a clever show, though perhaps a bit overconfident in its own intelligence. The story isn’t always seamless, with a few bumps that create some disjointed moments, despite strong emotional connections elsewhere. At its heart, it’s a captivating story about a woman named Marian and her struggle with mental health, highlighting how little understanding there was for women’s issues at the time. While it’s not flawless—and likely to be overshadowed when it’s released—The Artist is definitely worth watching during the holidays.

The Artist Part 1 premieres November 27 on The Network.

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2025-11-22 05:12