The Artist [Blu-ray][2011]

The way in which the artist makes you smile that deserves recognition. Very few films are as simple in their pleasure as this. A plaudit which mainly belongs to the direction of Hazanavicius and the performance from Jean Dujardin, who puts in a hugely charismatic performance as George Valentin. Not Oscar Worthy, but really engaging nonetheless. The artist expresses love of a bygone era in a exuberant optimistic film, even if it is a little gimmicky. That said, You will laugh, you will cry and you will be thoroughly entertained when its done with you. What this film should be praised for is that it will get people interested in silent movies. For that, Bravo.

Perhaps it is the contrast with the increasingly meaningless and debased sequels and remakes that have dominated cinema over the past few years that makes The Artist so successful. Perhaps it would have had the effect it has regardless of when it had been released. Either way, what you find here is not a long-form advert masquerading as a film but 90 minutes of supremely elegant cinema. Here the story of the rise and fall of a silent film actor who cannot make the transition to "talkies" has allowed Michel Hazanavicius to create an homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood where his deep love for the era can be felt in every frame.

George Valentin (a reference to Rudolph Valentino - there are many clever references to old Hollywood throughout including the declaration "I want to be alone!" à la Garbo and Tamara de Lempicka paintings cover the art deco walls of Hollywood) plays out his sad and uplifting story against the backdrop of a changing film industry at the same time that Peppy Miller, a starlet whose career takes off due to Valentin's good humour, rises to become Hollywood's leading actress. As his star fades, she remembers his help and what follows is a deceptively simple and deeply romantic tale of loss, fame and loyalty.

In the leading roles, the performances of Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are flawless while the much celebrated presence of Uggie the Jack Russell is genuinely touching without ever being saccharine. Elsewhere, the music never hits a wrong note (even the controversial use of Bernard Herrmann's Love Theme from Vertigo works beautifully) and the cinematography is relentless in its innocent wonder. When these elements are aligned the sum total of The Artist couldn't miss. And it doesn't. It plays a symphony of imagery where every instrument works towards harmoniously raising the soul of the viewer.

If then you experience an overpowering, tingling sensation while watching this film, don't be alarmed. It's only magic.

As a trainee projectionist at a small-town French cinema, I naturally get to see quite a few films. Occasionally, they are screened before their UK release. And very occasionally, as here, they are brilliant. In short, it's one of my two recommendations of the year. (The other, incidentally, is Intouchables, another superb film which also suggests that the glory days of French cinema are not all in the past.)

It is vital not to give too much away. Suffice it to say that the plot revolves around the male lead, a silent movie icon (played by Jean Dujardin) and his efforts to cope with dwindling fame brought about by the Hollywood vogue for 'talkies' at the end of the Twenties. Sound is completely alien to his kind of cinema and, of course, being a silent film itself, The Actor shows the world from his perspective. But The Actor isn't completely mute, as we hear on just a couple of occasions. One instance comes right at the end and explains ... well, something quite important.

I'd never heard of the principal actors. Both are utterly captivating. Director Michel Hazanavicius (incidentally, the husband of the female lead, Berenice Bejo) has apparently wanted to make a silent movie for ages. The long gestation period shows in this thoughtful, clever homage to Hollywood's silent era. Implausibly, a modern film without (much) sound or colour maintains viewer interest throughout. It is witty, impossibly romantic, intriguing and, above all, a must-see for anyone who's losing their love of cinema. What should be nothing more than an interesting idea or a bit of a cliché (note the fire, dog and policeman episode), is in fact the absolute opposite: fresh and original. And one of the best films of the year.