Discovery

Release date: 30 December 2011

Running time: 100 mins

Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Starring: James Cromwell, John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller, Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo

One of the year's most original films - a charming tale of two actors set during the silent movie era.

It's 1927, and suave, moustachioed matinee idol George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. He's dashing, he's just a little arrogant, and his romantic swashbucklers have women swooning. But silent movies are about to be washed away by new-fangled talkies. When studio boss Zimmer (John Goodman) offers him a chance to steal a march on his rivals in this exciting new format, Valentin rejects it out of hand in favour of his own epic silent project. Alas, this proves to be a flop. But as Valentin's life falls apart and his star wanes, the young actress whose career he nurtured, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), finds hers in the ascendant. A heartfelt love letter to Hollywood's silent era, writer/director Michel Hazanavicius's lovely film is even filmed in black and white without dialogue!

Screenwriter: Michel Hazanavicius

Distributor: Entertainment

You should see it because: It's a beautifully crafted, playful and romantic drama, immersed in nostalgia for Hollywood's early years.

See it if you liked: A Star is Born (1954), Sweet and Lowdown (1999), The Fall (2006)