To make a silent film today smells of a gimmick, but Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist is quite the opposite - a rich, creative, extremely enjoyable film. It's been said that it is a tribute to silent cinema, which it is, but I also found it more of a subtle nod to thoughtful filmmaking in general - where each shot and sound are carefully considered, constructed and pieced together. The great thing about silent cinema is that when it is good enough, you will not miss the dialogue. You might actually come away seeing how much dialogue is wasted in today's movies. The same goes for color or visual effects. Structurally, The Artist is a romantic drama following a silent actor's struggle to adjust to the changing times. The magic and transcendent moments though come from the acting (including a talented canine), the direction, the wonderful score - in short, the exquisite execution of some ingenious ideas. An inventive, joyous breakthrough with the rare skill of sweeping you off your feet.
