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Romantic comedy-drama

The Artist

Year
2011
Length
100 minBBFC 2011 UK cinema presentation Version sources ↓

A silent-film star meets a rising performer just as recorded sound changes what cinema asks of both of them.

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Country
France
Language
English
FunnyRomanticGentle Great first watch · Easy Romantic comedy-drama
Original illustration for The Artist: A grand Art Deco cinema doorway becomes a layered paper stage; a silver microphone at one side and a strip of silent-film frames at the other.

Image: Monocurator · source · Original Monocurator artwork

What to expect

Its charm comes from using silent-era form as dramatic action rather than decoration. Performance, framing, music, and carefully rationed sound translate professional change into romance and wounded pride.

How to ease in

Read faces and staging before waiting for intertitles. The film explains most shifts visually, and its rare uses of sound are meant to feel eventful.

Heads-up

A quick, non-exhaustive note Includes depression, attempted suicide, professional decline, alcohol misuse, and a house fire.
Momo's Note May contain spoilers Who is Momo? →
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I enjoy the moments when old technique becomes a new form of conversation. The film’s affection for silent cinema works best when it lets movement answer fear.

— Momo

Momo thinking about this film

Credits & versions

Version map

BBFC 2011 UK cinema presentation 100 min · GB BBFC lists the 2D cinema presentation classified on 20 October 2011 at 100 minutes 23 seconds. The catalogue rounds this to 100 minutes; strict time limits use the full duration. Other submissions are separate. Source: BBFC — The Artist (2011 cinema presentation) Runtime reference · Checked 2026-09-24

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