The artist

It is a must watch, not because it won the oscar, but because it is worth your appreciation.
A silent movie, when sound is all we hear. Effects and three dimensional and the theatre experience essentially cashes on the sound.
Silent movies were there back then when you and me were not born yet. But I believe that was the true test of an artist. Expressing yourself without words and voice. One's expressions speak tons and acting in that, a tough job.

So, the movie is about an actor, George Valentin who is very famous and well known. He acts in silent movies. He meets a girl, Peppy Miller who aspires to be an actress one day. He helps her out initially granting her an entrance in the film industry. She moves on from being one of the dancers to small roles to supporting roles to being an actress. All this while George Valentin has been moving out of the industry as he is against making a movie with sound, speech.
Peppy pulls one successful movie after another while George loses one friend after another and is then left no option but to sell all that he owns to buy drinks and food.

But more then the story, I think you would concentrate on the performances delivered by both the actors. Superbly splendid and effortless. The movie has the complete feel of a silent movie, black and white, no noise, what has to be conveyed by words is printed on the screen on a black backdrop (Reminds me of Charlie Chaplin). Ohh and the puppy is adorable. His expressions and emotions are also so well enacted, and I'm sure anyone who watches the movie is bound to fall in love with that dog!

The end is highly dramatic and thus ends the movie on a high note.

This one is a definite must watch, not as much for the story but for the creativity and performances!