By Niya Sinckler
The silent film The Artist is a French romantic comedy set in 1920s Hollywood, featuring the flappers and decadent lifestyles of a bygone era.
Directed and written by Michel Hazanavicius, the film follows the silent movie star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) who enjoys a powerful reputation in the business, with many adoring supporters. After posing for pictures with a young woman, things begin to change.
Soon, he finds out that the woman, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), is an aspiring dancer trying to make her big break. The photographs land her an audition which leads her to another surprising encounter with Valentin.
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After some time, Al Zimmer (John Goodman) a big-time, cigar-smoking studio boss arranges a meeting with Valentin to discuss technological advancements in film –developments that Valentin can’t bear. Valentin rejects the introduction of the Talkies, loses his job and takes refuge in alcohol.
This silent film harks back to a simpler age in film production but is making a lot of critical noise and has amassed a host of award nominations. Taking a trip to the 1920s is surely worth a 2012-priced ticket.