"The Artist" is a Worthy Tribute to Silent Cinema.

Rating: 9/10 (3 February 2012)

Daring to look back onto the world of silent cinema, "The Artist" springs to life as both an homage and period piece about the rise of sound and the stars that were effected by it. During the 1920s, silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) was at the top of his game, entertaining audiences all over in cinemas. However, as talkies start to slowly emerge, Valentin stands in protest against it while slowly charming up to a rising star (Berenice Bejo) who is taking the "Talkie" world by storm. "The Artist" is one of those films that is living proof that less truly is more. Both Dujardin and Bejo have tremendous chemistry together without ever hearing a single word they say and still one could argue that Valentin's lovable dog (Uggie) ends up stealing the show. Aside from this the story unfolds in a way that is funny, upsetting, heartwarming and even romantic that draws interest more and more as it goes along. For some, the fact that film is mostly silent (there are a few spoken lines at the very end of the movie) may seem overpowering but the film immerses the audience so quickly into its world that eventually its barely even noticeable. Although "The Artist" may not be for everyone, those who love a good story with a little bit of period piece for dramatic effect, "The Artist" is well worth it.