The Artist

For the Oscar’s Best Picture 2012, several films competed for the title, including Moneyball, Hugo and War Horse. For once, I agree with the Academy on the choice of Best Picture: The Artist.

The Artist is a silent film about an actor named George Valentine struggling to adapt his acting style to fit the format of modern day cinema. In the midst of this struggle, he moves through stages of change and tribulation to try give his talent a chance.

The film was brilliantly acted, excellently directed and superbly paced. There are three female actresses featured: Missy Pyle, Berience Bejo and Penelope Ann Miller, all of whom are relatively unknown.

Let us not forget the marquee man and leading role in this picture, Jean Dujardin. This handsome and relatively unknown actor resembles a cross between David Niven and Walt Disney. Both are faces synonymous with the backdrop of the Silver screen. As a result, he is perfect for the lead role.

The biggest notable flaw of the movie was that the key sound effects were somewhat off balance in certain scenes. My biggest complaint may seem frivolous, but let me say this: if you are going to put such legendary actors as Malcolm Mc Dowell, James Cromwell and John Goodman together, for crying out loud, do not make it a silent film!

Gentlemen, let the moths out of your wallets and take your girlfriends to see this film. Ladies, if your men are to stubborn to part with the dough, simply point out that they get to spend 100 minutes sitting next to you in the dark.