The Artist
PG-13
100 Minutes
Director:Michel Hazanavicius
Writer: Michel Hazanavicius (scenario and dialogue)
Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman 

The Artist is ike Hugo, in that it is paying homage to film as a form of art. A silent, black-and-white motion picture. It's a charming flick, with broad appeal.

George Valentine is a middle-aged actor, who used to be an A-list film star. While filming a movie, he becomes a friend, mentor, and lover; to a one, Penny Miller. Penny Miller (Bejo) represents the future of motion pictures: movies starring young, attractive people...who can speak words.

The Great Depression was hard on well-to-do actors in silent pictures. George Valentin became destitute and poor. All he had left was his loyal companion, a Jack Burton Terrier. Eventually, to make ends meet, he and his dog reenacted Shakespeare in the park for pennies. That is cutest dog I have ever seen, if they gave Oscars for looking adorable, John Goodman would be shoe-in; I'd say the dog has a 50-50 chance.