A great film, but praised for a gimmick.

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2012)

The Artist is going to win best picture. Don't try and fool yourselves people, this film is going to win. True Hugo was nominated for more awards, but this film has been so critically praised that Hugo barely stands a chance.
Not that I'm really complaining, because I really did enjoy this film. I went into it, just hoping for an entertaining movie, and that's what I got. I was invested in the story, I enjoyed the characters, it was funny at times, truly heart breaking at times, and had me interested throughout it's running time. The movie thankfully isn't too long, because if it was it would have gotten on my nerves near the end, but an hour and a half is perfect for this film.
The actors do a great job even though they are not able to speak. The camera work is great, it has a beautiful score, and it's just a flat out fun movie to watch.
Yet despite that, the only reason this is even nominated for best picture is because of the fact that it's a silent film in 2011. It's a great film, but it's that gimmick that is giving it the praise. This film would not be the Holy Grail of the Academy Awards if it wasn't a silent film in 2011.
The Artist is a great film, its funny, dramatic, entertaining...but in the end, it's still a gimmick movie.