svikasha
Charlie Chaplin is truly a character. On the screen, as well as off the screen, for nearly a century, Charlie Chaplin held a position of esteem within the domain of cinema that can never be topped. Those who have read the autobiography that this film is based on will go into the film knowing that Charlie Chaplin was as iconic on-screen as he was vulnerable in print. His autobiography is a very honest account. Unlike many biopics, "Chaplin" doesn't take the cheap route of portraying an unflawed and idealized version of the iconic actor. The film confronts his shortcomings that the actor was courageous to admit. Chaplin, was at various times, a serial womanizer who engaged in more than one "age inappropriate" relationship throughout the course of his life. Like many any Hollywood and the film industry, Chaplin often abused his power in the industry to take advantage of star struck women. This self-destructive tendency to get into troublesome relationships plagues Chaplin throughout his entire adult life. But from all of these imperfections, emerges an individual who was a deeply troubled artist struggling to come to terms with both his art and the global nature of his fame. Although the movie seems inadequate at times, overall, the 1992 film "Chaplin" starring Robert Downey Jr. is a humanistic portrayal that is just as beautiful as the person it portrays. "Chaplin" follows Charlie Chaplin's life from his humble origins in England all the way to fame and fortune in Hollywood. Although Chaplin was born and worked as an actor in England, his pursuit of an acting career eventually takes him to Montana in the United States where he inadvertently begins a film career that would turn him into a global icon. The film does use some rags to riches clichés. When Chaplin was first in England, he had trouble getting into restaurants because of his affiliation with theater which was looked down upon by high society. Years later, when he returned to England after spending years making films, the crowd that came to see him was so large that he needed a police escort just to get off of his train. Yet, it is that very recognizable identity and fame that made it difficult for the young Chaplin to call anywhere other than Hollywood home. Charlie Chaplin was not afraid to step into politics and make his voice heard. As an artist, such genuine passion is truly commendable. But this characteristic often made Chaplin a target. Fortunately, "Chaplin" doesn't shy away from portraying this part of Charlie Chaplin's distinguished life. Although Chaplin had adopted the United States as his home, during the tense time of the Cold War, Chaplin ended up being targeted for his beliefs. After years of undue suspicion and malicious court cases, Chaplin was kicked out of the country in 1952 as a tragic victim of McCarthyism. The film makes it a point to convey that Chaplin's film career was inextricably tied to the man's political and social views. In fact, at a time when filmmakers were questioning the role of cinema as a form of social commentary, Chaplin was a pioneer in making silent films that spoke volumes about the contemporary society of the time.But the greatest point in Chaplin's esteemed career came at the worst point for humanity itself. While the world was tearing itself apart fighting a second world war, Chaplin stood up, made a risky film about Adolph Hitler himself, and told the world, "Do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish". The real Charlie Chaplin was not just an actor. He was the voice of a generation. To his credit, Robert Downey Junior does justice to what is truly a very difficult role.A tear might actually roll down your cheek by the time you get to the end of this movie. In the final scene, Chaplin, weakened by old age and a full life, confronts the timelessness of the art form he created. People will always remember him as a version of himself that even he no longer remembers. A tear rolls down Chaplin's cheek on screen. Chaplin's career was a culmination of being a talented actor, at the right place, at the right time. Charlie Chaplin may have died in 1977, but the global reach and timelessness of Chaplin's work endures. "Chaplin" the film is a touching homage to a truly remarkable individual. At the end of his life, Chaplin told everyone that time was his greatest enemy. But there is much reason to disagree with this assertion. Time is the medium through which films work their magic. Chaplin manipulated time in his pictures to capture a perspective of the human experience that can touch audiences a century later with equal effectiveness. Time is his greatest friend.
ted-mcwhirter
It's notable that the best bits of this are when they play excerpts from the classics as a preamble to the "We're Sorry" episode at the Oscars in 1972. It's only then do you sense the genius of the man which rarely comes across from the episodic excerpts that form the rest of the film. Downey is good enough and the rest of the cast do their stuff but it never captures anything but a ghost of the real man for the meat and potatoes are inside the pants and the heart of the tramp. The synthesis of ballet dancer, acrobat and comedian that endear us to the tramp barely comes across although you get a sense of his driven and obsessive nature as he strove to improve on the art form that had defined him. It's become fashionable to deride the sentimentality and pathos of his later films and to elevate others, notably Keaton, above him. But the bedrock of his genius lies in the 100 or so one and two-reelers that innovated and developed the history of cinema and the classic features of his maturity. The film doesn't ever come close to capturing that.
Robae Williams
Before I watched this film, I knew that Charlie Chaplin was a famous actor during the 1910s and 20s. I also recognized him in a few movies like "The Great Dictator". I also knew he had a strange mustache. I didn't know a lot about Chaplin's personal life. I didn't know he went through many difficult times. I learned a lot about him through watching this movie. I found out that he had three wives, all which were very young. I also found out he didn't have the best childhood because his mother was going crazy. Although it was very interesting, it wasn't enjoyable because it didn't have enough information. I felt that it wasn't goofy and funny enough as well. There also times where there was dialogue which lasted to long and felt boring. To conclude, "Chaplin" was a decent movie but could have some adjustments to help it be better
jeffreyhillen-364-945381
Chaplin is a film from 1992 and directed by the legendary filmmaker Lord Richard Attenborough and in the lead role Robert Downey Jr. The film is a real drama and biography to one of the greatest actors the world has ever known. Charlie Chaplin. Not only the film focuses on his work as actor and Director but also his personal life. To play such an iconic figure who has meant so much for the Film industry as it is today , you need a really actor. An actor who can bring this person on screen as it should be done. And I think Robert Downey Jr. really did a great job on playing Charlie Chaplin. He did such a great performance and showed all the different sides that Charlie Chaplin had on screen. He just did an excellent job and beautiful. His performance was what this film made so fantastic. Another great thing was the script. They did outstanding work on that because you need to have Charlie Chaplin-like humor in a film like this. The story in the film is build up on a very beautiful way from Charlie's childhood years were it all began for him until his final days until the moment he almost dies. Something I liked was that the old Charlie sometimes looks back and tells what happened and we see that happen in the film. This film is really great and to everybody who wants to know more about film or actors or filmmakers I recommend this film. I rate this film 9/10
