THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS: When George Valentin (Jean Dujardin, left) was at the top of his cinematic career as a silent film star, he chose to ignore the ugly rumors about Peppy Miller (Berenice Bijo) that were being printed in the tabloids, and hired her to co-star with him as his dance partner. That role served as the beginning of her career as a movie star in the new talking movies, while George quickly became forgotten by the fickle public because he couldn’t make the transformation to the talkies.

It is 1927, and George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is at the height of his career as a matinee idol. But that is also the year that talkies were introduced, an innovation which signaled the demise of the silent movie era.

Unfortunately, because George doesn’t realize that the talkies are about to transform the movie industry, he is caught by surprise when he is no longer in demand as a leading man. Then, with the loss of income and the stock market crash of 1929, he ends up losing all of his money and also his wife (Penelope Ann Miller).

After moving from a sprawling mansion to a modest apartment, George lays off his longtime chauffeur (James Cromwell), whom he can no longer afford. At this point, the dejected has-been feels like his only friend in the world is his Jack Russell Terrier (Uggie).

Meanwhile, the career of emerging ingénue Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) is in sharp contrast to George’s. However, she owes a debt of gratitude to George because, despite an ugly rumor printed in the tabloids, George had still cast her as his dance partner in one of his pictures even she was an unknown aspiring actress.

Although sparks had flown between the two on the set back then, nothing had become of the mutual admiration. However, now, with Peppy on top of the world, the question is whether she will remember George, who had given her her big break.

So unfolds The Artist, a silent, black & white film which celebrates a bygone era. This cinematic masterpiece is entertaining as it chronicles a critical moment in the evolution of the cinematic art form.

Excellent (****). Rated PG-13 for a crude gesture and a disturbing image. Running time: 100 minutes. Distributor: The Weinstein Company.