Writer/director Michel Hazanavicius has clearly done his homework on silent films and has come up with an absolute diamond of a movie. Shot in black & white and almost entirely silent, this is a cinematic treat, a magical trip back in time! The score is perfect, and we can forgive the use of Bernard Herrmann's 'Love Scene' from Vertigo, as it's used to great effect here and is a stirring piece of music. The two leads are nothing short of fantastic, and there's good support from John Goodman and James Cromwell. Authentic sets and costumes deserve a mention, Malcolm McDowell makes a brief appearance, and as if you needed any more reasons to go and see it, there's a very cute Jack Russell (called Uggie), he's in almost every scene with Jean Dujardin, and is a star!
The Artist has already picked up several awards for best film, best director and best score, and Dujardin won the best actor award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Well deserved and undoubtedly there's more to come! I can't wait to see it again.
UK release date: 30th December 2011
