Kudos to the writer/director for one of the most creative, lovely, movies in years!!! The engaging story and actors, even "in silence" made the time fly by. The movie is funny and charming, cleverly winking at all the conventions of silent movies in the past. Lauded as "an ode to Hollywood" ( which it is) I also found it to be a touching story for our time, our "Great Depression." The story of the middle aged silent film actor trying to adjust to talkies, could be the tale of factory workers and magazine staffers, trying to adjust to the new economy today and being passed over by the new industries and the young people who run them. If you are ten or older, go see it!!!!!!

A triumph of old-time film making. In luminous black and white and only music to accompany it, a glorious silent film is made again. The technical achievement in capturing not only the authentic look and feel of a classic silent film but also recreating Hollywood of the late 1920?s and early 1030?s is amazing. The story is simple; George Valentin is the biggest star of the silver screen, his good looks and engaging smile make him the greatest film star of his day. But talkies are coming and no one wants to hear his voice. George gives Peppy, an ingénue, her first break and she quickly shines as the new star of the talkies. With his career in tatters, George is in despair when Peppy saves the day and they happily tap dance into the sunset. The thing to watch in this film is the craft in making homage to the artists who created an industry and a genre.

I almost skipped seeing The Artist thinking it would be too 'arty' or I would tire of the lack of dialogue or black and white format. However, none of my assumptions played out. I'm glad we saw The Artist in the movie theater, as it was meant to be viewed. I think I would have become restless watching a silent, black and white film on disk at home. The male lead, Jean Dujardin, reminds me of Gene Kelly. The lovely black and white cinematography is delux; at times, the blacks look like velvet. Watching the film, I felt transported. I'm glad I gave it a chance because The Artisit is one of the most enjoyable films I've seen in a long time. There are many cameo appearances, tap dancing and a romance that doesn't devolve into a predictable, gratuitous sex scene. Bravo!

An awfully good story without words, without gratuitous ( or otherwise) nudity, profanity or violence. It is like Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron come back to life only better.

LOVED it. It has style, wit, excellence, beauty. What a triumph in an otherwise grim time for movies. It proves movies can be original and vital. V. exciting for everyone.