Reminiscent of Singin in the Rain: a clever and fun film for the ages!

Rating: 9/10 (26 June 2013)

Set in 1920s Hollywood, silent film actor George Valentin, played by Jean Dujardin, quickly feels the rug pulled out from under him when the "talkies" start taking over the silver screen. His career falls by the wayside to up and comer Peppy Miller, played by Berenice Bejo, a newbie unafraid to let herself be heard.
What was so interesting about this movie though was not the plot. It was the style. This movie was in all black and white and (almost) completely silent! It even had the text windows that old silent movies used to have. I loved it! It really emphasized the drama and body language. Not having words to rely on made me all that much more aware of the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Dujardin was brilliant in his depiction of a washed-up silent actor. His eyebrows had a life of their own. Bejo was so cute, the ideal 20s flapper girl.
I thought that this movie was similar to the timeless classic Singin in the Rain for two reasons. Reason #1: both movies are about silent actors coming to terms with the advent of talking pictures. Reason #2: Jean Dujardin had something very Gene Kelly-ish about him. As I watched The Artist, I really felt like I was watching Gene Kelly with a mustache. Maybe it's his eyes. Maybe it's his smile. I don't know but I kept thinking of Gene Kelly throughout The Artist.