https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplin_(film)
Chaplin is a 1992 British-American biographical comedy-drama film about the life of British comedian Charlie Chaplin. It was produced and directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Dan Aykroyd, Penelope Ann Miller, and Kevin Kline. It also features Geraldine Chaplin in the role of her own paternal grandmother, Hannah Chaplin.
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It's a soapie. Garnered criticism for being too broad and covering far too much ground but the pace is not overwhelming. It is surprising this movie is not more famous.
ReplyDeleteThere are some old fashioned directorial flourishes which are reminiscent of stage scenes. e.g the scene in the pub in England about 1922. By using cliched, anonymous drunks, the wider message of “Chaplin you're great and we love you but you're also a worthless draft dodger and you're now a toff who no longer passes as one of the ordinary people” is played out by a character to character scene. It's presented theatrically with no other movie effect other than actors and script. This seems old fashioned in modern cinema.
Performances are pretty good. Downey as Chaplin suffers under the less than believable ageing makeup but otherwise seems a self absorbed and aloof genius who is forced to endure other peoples' petty agendas. The succession of wives is shown as irresistable yet less than satisfying. Milla Jojovich in an early role here is Exhibit A. John Thaw as Fred Karno is memorable and Kevin Kline as Douglas Fairbanks is very entertaining. The FBI comes across as 'comic villains'. Some better examination of their motives would be welcome. The simple anti-Nazi, anti-xenophobia mindset of Chaplin must have something interesting behind it. This is presented as given not explained.
Probably these days the movie would be done better as a 6 or even 13 part TV series which would allow more depth. That's probably what this movie lacks really. As a tribute to a bygone era it's pretty good to watch. A memorable movie but far from perfect ABM rating 2/3