Review of The Artist (2011) by John M — 23 May 2016

Out with the old, in with the new. The Artist takes place in the twilight of the silent films, and a silent star (Jean Dujardin) has difficulties when the talkies force their predecessors into obscurity.

They made a legitimate silent film here, with title cards and everything. Watching it, you can tell that there's no other way that this would work; it would have been awkward if it were made with more modern sensibilities.

I have next to no experience with silent films, and you don't really need the background to enjoy this. It will only make you want to go back and educate yourself. It flows incredibly well with no lulls because there's always something happening, but a lot of credit for that has to go to the wonderful score that holds everything together like surgical glue.

It is an unabashed love letter to old Hollywood, and it covers similar territory that Hugo does, but, unlike Hugo, it doesn't take half the movie to get there. If you even have the remotest of suspicions that this is for you, you should go out of your way to check this out, as there is real movie magic here.

One of the most charming experiences you'll have with a film this year.