Excellent, fun to see movie

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2012)

Plot: The 1920s Hollywood superstar of silent films, the French speaking George Valentin (Jean Dujardin as a Douglas Fairbanks/Rudolph Valentino figure) is bypassed when the "talkies" take over movies (after 1928). Then the 1929 stock market crash leaves him broke. Before his fall, he'd befriended the ingénue Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) who goes on to become a movie star; she rescues George, his career, his dog, & his chauffeur (+ more).
WOW!!! What a charming, delightful movie and at so many different levels! "Uggie" (a Jack Russell terrier, also in "Water for Elephants") has a supporting star role (and fomented an internet campaign to make dogs Oscar eligible!). Perfect casting of Dujardin, Bejo, Uggie, John Goodman; great dance numbers. 10 Oscar nominations, if this film wins 6+, few critics will be surprised. Destined to be a classic and comfortably within IMDb's list of the 250 all-time best ever movies.
{Rated PG-13: Apparently because of one brief gesture (flipping a middle finger) and a scene in which a gun is displayed threateningly.}