THE ARTIST

Though it didn't exactly make me swoon like I had expected, this light-on-its-feet romance is a sweet ode to the era of Hollywood's silent movies.

Fabulous rubbery-faced actor Jean Dujardin (from the hilarious French spy spoofs OSS 117) plays silent film superstar George Valentin. He is at the peak of his popularity in 1927 Hollywoodland, with his films playing packed houses and fans throwing themselves at his feet on the red carpet. In a totally "meets cute" fashion, one fan stumbles through the velvet rope, and she gets the photo op of her life, as the press snap a photo of her kissing George Valentin on the cheek. "Who's That Girl?" screams Variety. She is Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a girl like so many in Hollywood, who is waiting for his big break as an actress.

The Artist spans a few years as George and Peppy cross paths and destinies. Peppy shows up as an extra on one of George's films and the sparks continue to fly between them. But he is a star, and she is a nobody. As a gift, to make her stand out among all the girls, he takes a mascara pencil and bestows a beauty mark above her lip.

As Peppy transforms her looks, Hollywood is also going through a major transformation. Talkies are suddenly the new rage, and silent films with "all that mugging" by the actors, is so old-fashioned. Peppy's star rises as quickly as George's plummets. Peppy is the new "It" girl, and George, who is representative of the old, is pushed aside, and quickly hits rock bottom. Like any romance, you just know these two have to be together, you just know it!

The Artist is a gorgeously made movie, from its crisp black and white cinematography to the score which is ever-present through the entire movie. Did I mention that The Artist is a silent movie? Except for a couple winky nods to sound, it is a traditional silent movie. The film, like any classic silent film, tells its story entirely through action and expression, and there are actually very few "dialogue" screens with text. But it is so well-done that you don't really miss dialogue. Dujardin is such a great physical actor that the cock of an eyebrow can get the audience laughing, but he can also tone it down to subtle melancholy. Bejo is a sparkly, sweet presence, and you will recognize familiar faces like John Goodman and James Cromwell in the supporting cast. Plus there is an awesome dog named Uggie that completely steals all his scenes.

Despite all my praise, can I admit something? I walked away from The Artist a little disappointed that I didn't completely fall head-over-heels in love with it. When I had heard all the advance praise, it sounded like the type of film that I'd completely embrace and want to clasp to my heart in soft focus swoon. Though I found that I liked it and admired it, I secretly wished that it had completely swept me off my feet. With its sweetness and charm, The Artist is ultimately a feel-good romance that I'm sure audiences will enjoy. It is classic Hollywood escapism, the type of romance that may not stick with you after the fact, but allows sweet escapism during the time you spend together.