The Artist quickly transcends its silent movie gimmick to become a heartbreaking and heart-warming marvel of a film.

There was never any demand for a black and white silent movie, but receive one we did in The Artist. Directed by French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius (who is known primarily for his OSS 117 spy spoof films), The Artist is something of a revelation in its ability to take something old and make it feel new again, and plays well as an alternate to the 3D/CGI heavy competition. (Imagine a hushed silence amongst heavy traffic, and you might get the picture.)

Set during the 1920s-1930s Hollywood golden era, The Artist focuses on silent film star George Valentine (Jean Dujardin). When talking pictures comes into fashion a pride filled Valentine refuses to go along with this new era of cinema, throwing his career away and destroying his personal life. His only lifeline is his love for Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), an extra who builds up her career and takes over Valentine’s place as Hollywood’s favourite star.

Both Dujardin and Bejo (French film stars who have previously worked with Hazanavicius) are marvellous in their roles. So charismatic is their screen presence, so magnetic their chemistry and so vast their talents that it’s hard to think of a better dynamic duo this past year. Yet when on their own they’re even better, especially Dujardin whose old school charm, slapstick comedic style and ability to turn on the drama at the clock of a finger is a thing of thespian godliness.

While it pays homage to classic Hollywood and the forgotten stars of the era, The Artist is not a film the rests of the laurels of its gimmick. Nostalgia is not its mission or its strength, since -let’s face it- the majority of us will take a talkie over a silent movie any day of the week. There will be no rejuvenation of silent films at the flicks.

Rather its strength is in its delicacy, with The Artist a film which demands your attention at every moment. We are used to watching movies in a particular way, yet Hazanavicius denies us the spoken word, the clanging of glass, the revving of a car engine, etc. All senses are glued to the screen and Hazanavicius delivers with drama, laughter, romance and stellar performances from its cast (including some fine canine acting from its resident pooch).

The Artist proves to be a gift that keeps on giving. Come awards time watch it receive plenty of gifts in return.