The Artist (2011)

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your front-runner for the Academy Awards. And while it's not my personal favorite film of the year, The Artist deserves all the accolades it's getting. Sure it's a niche movie, but one that still leaves you wanting more.

In 1927, silent film star George Valentin (Jean Durjadin) is riding high following the premiere of his latest flick. He showboats on stage and in front of the cameras for all to see. Outside the theater, he literally bumps into Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). They laugh about it, but the paparazzi snaps a photo that hurls them both on the front page. Soon after, they run into each other again as Miller auditions for a role in Valentin's latest film. With George's help, Peppy soon starts getting bigger roles. But within two years, the movie studio starts shifting toward talkies. George shrugs the idea off, but realizes its staying power when the studio halts production on all silent movies. Undeterred, George sets out to fund his own silent movie. But the film is set to release against Miller's latest talkie, one a date that coincides with the 1929 stock market crash. When the film fails, George is bankrupt. The downward spiral begins right as Miller shoots to super-stardom.

I don't throw this word around often, but The Artist is delightful. It was a very well-made and enjoyable film. The way director Michel Hazanavicius managed to keep the tone and style of the movie upbeat while dealing with a variety of serious topics. A lot of it was the fact that this was a mostly silent film. That being said, my favorite scene was one specifically focused on sound. George has a nightmare where everything makes noise except him. It's brilliantly done. Anyway, this film will probably win Best Picture and most definitely win Best Director. Maybe not my choices, but I won't be upset like I was last year. Watch this movie. Grade: A