“The Artist” achieves the impressive feat of captivating a contemporary audience with a silent, black-and-white film. More than merely paying homage to the classics of the genre, “Artist” weaves an engaging (and ironic) tale of the death of silent films and the beginning of the modern motion picture era. Interspersed with only occasional subtitles, the film relies heavily on the exquisite, and at times cheeky, pantomime of the main characters, played by French actors Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.

The film opens in 1927 Hollywood (then Hollywoodland) at the peak of George Valentin’s career. At a press conference revelling in the success of his latest film, Valentin (Dujardin) literally bumps into Peppy Miller (played by the captivating Bejo), a starstruck admirer who’s deadest on becoming an actress herself. A connection is immediately sparked between the two, and their chemistry becomes the tour de force of the film.  A serendipitous photo is snapped by the press and reunites them at the filming of Valentin’s next cinematic endeavor. Against the wishes of his producer, Valentin insists on Miller accompanying him in a scene, an opportunity which gradually helps launch an illustrious career of her very own.

A few years later, the film industry makes leaps and bounds in recording technology and a new innovation is released: soundtrack. For the first time, audiences are able to hear their favorite film stars speak on film, and they couldn’t be more thrilled. Production companies embrace the change, and begin to phase out the silent films, leaving Valentin without a job. Convinced that the new “talkies” are just a fad, Valentin finances his own film, which he writes, directs and stars himself. Meanwhile, Miller thrives in the new cinematic arena, leaving Valentin to struggle against his pride as his protege succeeds him. Vaudevillian hijinks speckle an emotional storyline, as we follow our hero’s journey to find his place in the changing world of motion pictures.

Bejo and Durjardin are undeniably charismatic, and engage the audience effortlessly. John Goodman and James Cromwell play brilliant supporting roles as the studio boss and chauffeur, respectively, anchoring the performances of the lead actors, who are relative newcomers to American cinema. Even Valentin’s canine sidekick, a Jack Russell played by veteran dog actor Uggie, turns out a brilliant performance.

With spellbinding black and white cinematography and a captivating, nostalgic score, “The Artist” is truly a landmark film of our time and should be seen for that reason, if nothing else.