10 Best Black & White Films Of The 21st Century (So Far)
2. The Artist (2011)
The Artist is a love letter to old cinema, and is made in the style of silent film (apart from a few short moments). It tells the story of a Hollywood star named George Valentin, whose fame is collapsing as the film industry gravitates towards "talkies" instead of the original silent movie style.
Valentin's poor vocal performance prevents him from getting any new roles, but a young woman he met at a premiere is being skyrocketed to fame. The relationship they develop is quite touching, but doesn't always overcome the harsh realities of life.
In terms of production, The Artist is one of the best films in the last few decades. It looks and sounds as if it really was filmed in the 1920s; there are many technical flaws that honestly add beauty and authenticity to the film. Everyone involved, cast and crew, were in top form on this project. It earned ten Academy Award nominations, winning five of them including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.