The Artist
The undisputed leading man of 2012's awards season, Jean Dujardin positively dazzles as George Valentin, a silent era movie star the French actor plays with lashings of close-up worthy charisma in this fabulous cinematic valentine to the early decades of Hollywood.
As the 1920's segue into the '30s and the talkies replace silent films, Valentin's stock takes a slide while wide-eyed newcomer, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) is set to become the next big thing.
John Goodman co-stars as a burly studio boss, James Cromwell is affecting as Valentin's devoted butler, and canine sidekick Uggie (winner of the Cannes Film Festival's Palm Dog award) stakes his claim to being this century's most adorable screen pooch!
"With his Gene Kelly eyes, Fredric March appeal and Douglas Fairbanks suaveness, Dujardin acts up a storm. Like Singin' in the Rain, The Artist is a rare instance of movie perfection. Anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly averse to feeling good." Film Comment
