The Artist

The Artist (2011) starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell. In 1927, aging silent film star George Valentin (Dujardin) happens to meet rising starlet Peppy Miller (Bejo). His career craters in 1929 when talking pictures make their debut, while she becomes the darling of the talkies and a big star. But she remains a true and faithful fan of Valentin, even as he spirals downward. This is a silent film (for the most part), and there's a lot more to it than the bare-bones description would suggest. The movie won the Oscar for Best Picture, and Dujardin won for Best Actor. It's a French production, but it's all in English. Grand fun to watch. No subtitles are needed. Grade: A-