Since all the adjectives to praise it have been written, I'll just say YES.

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2012)

I know of only one real try at making a silent movie since the genre died of natural death in the thirties; that was the Mel Brooks 1976 parody 'Silent Movie'. I did not go to see that film and don't plan to. While technically not a real silent movie, 'The Artist' is as close as you'll ever come to it; it has an actual soundtrack which is almost exclusively music with very few sound effects and, like Brooks' film, only one word is spoken, hence, it can't be called a silent movie.
The Oscars are just around the corner and 'The Artist' has been gathering momentum. With all that fuss and the outstanding ratings, I just had to see for myself if it lived up to the hype. If it had not fared so well at all my usual sources and all the unusual ones as well, I doubt I would have bothered; hey it's a silent movie. While I've seen most all the 2011 movies that are nominated for best picture for the upcoming Oscars, and written reviews of them, only 'The Artist" I can say truly is a bold and daring artistic production. I've read countless reviews of this movie and though other nominees are worthy of the prize, such madness deserves to win. It not only was mad to attempt it, it overlapped into genius because it was done successfully. There are no flaws in this production; it pays homage to silent movies by being just that, flawless. It has a beautiful story, the actors are compelling and it calls to sentiments any modern movie could boast of conveying.
For history buffs: The silent movies, in the early thirties, were the sole source of happy escape from the hard times (the great depression) of that period. Anyone going through hard times now deserves to see this movie; thankfully, you need not be French or American to enjoy it.
Other reviewers have at length outlined the storyline, well summarized in IMDb, so you don't need to read it again from me; it was brilliant to make that particular story in silent form. I could go on about the wonderful musical score, without which it could not have worked so well; the directing by Michel Hazanavicius, who wrote the script and poured all he had to give toward making it a well done movie, deserves all the rewards he is now receiving, including public admiration from his gorgeous wife, the co-star of the movie (and you don't see that sort of display everyday). I liked the whole cast, no exceptions.
If, on February 26th, this movie wins best picture, you'll see an audience, the whole industry is there, stand up and cheer like you've never seen before; that much I can predict. Did I like the movie? I loved it.