The Artist is a heartfelt and entertaining Valentine to classic American cinema. Mixing comedy, romance and melodrama. The Artist is itself an example of the form it celebrates: A black-and-white silent film that relies on images, actors and music to weave its singular spell.

Hollywood, 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is one of the silver screens reigning idols, instantly recognisable with his slim moustache and signature white tie and tails. Young dancer Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo),is vivacious and good-humoured, with an incandescent smile and a flappers ease of movement. Peppy first crosses Georges path at his film premiere and then as an extra on his latest film

When talking pictures become the new rage in Hollywood, George wants no part of it. But by 1929 the studio is preparing to cease all silent film production and George faces a choice: embrace sound, like the now rising star Peppy, or risk a slide into obscurity.