By Kate Rodger
A silent black and white film looking set to win Oscars, it's a crazy old world.
The artist is a French film, but set in late 1920's Hollywood, just as the silent film era is giving way to the new fangled talkies.
George Valentin is Hollywood's biggest star. Women swoon over him, studio bosses swoon over him, he swoons over himself.
But this whole new world of movies where the actors talk? Well our hero's just not ready for that kind of change.
The new face and voice of Hollywood is Peppy Miller, and her star is rising as fast as Valentin's is falling..
I really hope I'm not suffering from hype-fatigue with the artist, as i can see how it's charm is working it's magic with awards voters.
Its a luscious homage to early Hollywood with that quirky novelty value to set it apart from the usual fare. And I really did enjoy it, the performances are great and the film is a good-hearted and clever watch, it just didn't completely win me over.
Three and a half stars.
The Artist
:: Director: Michel Hazanavicius
:: Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller, James Cromwell, Malcolm McDowell, Joel Murray, Beth Grant, Missi Pyle
:: Runtime: 100 minutes
:: Rating: PG
:: Release Date: February 9, 2012
:: Trailer: Watch here
