Art is a curious thing. Not all mediums can be called art, and from the inception of film to modern times, art in the cinema has welcomed many works to the ranks of art. The Artist is one piece of art that cannot be forgotten.

French actor Jean Dujardin leads The Artist’s cast in an exposé of the late 1920s’ film industry and its transition from silent movies to the talkies. The film follows the life of veteran silent movie actor George Valentin and his struggling transition to talkie movies. Contrasting his story is that of starting American sweetheart Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) who transitions well to the talkies and presents romantic and professional conflict for Dujardin’s character.

Peppy can adapt, but George cannot, and this leads him down a spiral of sadness and hate toward his failed career.

Each of these awards would be enough to recommend this film, but their being together serves as a glowing recommendation to all those interested in film, and all those interested in art.

Though this picture is silent, it conveys the same degree of emotion as a movie with talking. Given through facial expressions and physical acting, this film does not only replace the talking, it shows us what we have been missing in the past 85 years since movies featured speaking audio.

If audio is a major factor in viewer’s enjoyment of the film, The Artist features a sound track of great 1920s’ era hits composed by Ludovic Bource that adds a great deal of ambiance and feeling to the actions on screen, highlighting the emotions of the characters and the movie as a whole.

Though art may be curious, it has its absolutes in the realm of quality, and The Artist exemplifies and brings fourth these traits in a big way.