A novel but mediocre effort

Rating: 6/10 (26 August 2012)

This production was a throw-back to Hollywood's "golden era" and for that reason I understand the industry-based acclaim. The dancing, the irresistible smiles, the romanticization of Hollywood filmmaking and the highs and lows of the roaring 20's, all, create an unique ambiance that an audience cannot collect from other modern films. Furthermore, the story is significantly advanced by brilliant performances from Dujardin and Bejo. But when one takes away the film's novelty, i.e., the black and white silent format and full screen captions, the only thing remaining is a dry and simplistic love story. The production should be applauded for endeavoring into a risky product. However, the risk alone does not justify a positive review.