The Artist (2011)

Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell
Certificate: 12
Genre: Silent, comedy
Awards: Best Costumes, Best Director, Best music, Best Picture, Best Actor (Dujardin)

The Artist has been the most talked about film for the past month and it's easy to see why. It's a silent film which tells the story of silent movie actor, George Valantin (Dujardin).  Once the talkies come in, he is pushed to one side for "fresh meat". This includes Peppy Miller (Bejo), an actress who met Valantin in an accidental encounter. The film focuses on how as Valentin falls, Miller rises and how they try and help each other.

The film is amazingly made. You really feel for the characters and the fact that many silent movie actors such as Charlie Chaplin actually went down this route. The film is full of symbolism, but unlike The Tree Of Life, it's sublime and actually adds to the story at the same time.

So in conclusion, The Artist is wonderfully acted, well directed and funny. You will be entertained and the climax caught me out. Out of the nominees I have seen, this film deserved the awards it got.

*****Brilliant