Silence Wins

The Artist is the best picture of the year according to the New York Critics Circle.

Can this buzzy black-and-white silent film open in Miami, already?

Michel Hazanavicius, the film’s director took the prize for his work, too, so The Artist is officially in the Oscar race as a major player.

Meanwhile, Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life, Moneyball) and Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) won the leading acting prizes, while Albert Brooks and the very busy Jessica Chastain were recognized for their supporting turns in Drive and The Tree of Life, The Help, and Take Shelter, respectively.

Click here to find more about who and what else New York honored.

Photo: The Weinstein Company.