Chaplin

1992 "Everyone has a wild side. Even a legend."
7.5| 2h23m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 25 December 1992 Released
Producted By: Le Studio Canal+
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

An aged Charlie Chaplin narrates his life to his autobiography's editor, including his rise to wealth and comedic fame from poverty, his turbulent personal life and his run-ins with the FBI.

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Reviews

Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
Glimmerubro It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
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.
Ronin Cunningham Before watching Richard Attenborough's Chaplin, the first image that would come to my mind as someone says the name "Charlie Chaplin" to me would be an ancient, old, and unfunny comedy actor that is a thing of the past. Charlie Chaplin's films and his purpose of comedy he was trying to convey always seemed too shallow and juvenile to stay awake while watching them. After learning the knowledge that was explained throughout this film, one can realize that that ideology was only scraping the surface of his films and especially his personal life. This film does a decent job of showing the complexity of Chaplin's life and how one must look past his persona of the Tramp to see how his true life really was. I learned how he pioneered the motion picture industry and how he had so much influence and impact that turned movies into what they are today. I enjoyed the movie for these reasons, but it had its issues. At times the film came across as too boring as the scenes would linger too long. The movie also attempts to hit you with emotions just like he was experiencing throughout his life, such as the complications with his insane mother or his extreme hunger to become the best in Hollywood, but it fails to create an impact on the viewer at times.
miladbathani Before seeing this movie I honestly didn't know much at all about Charlie Chaplin.Three ideas and thought I had about Charlie Chaplin before seeing this film was that I knew that he was a type of silly/comedy character, that he was very famous for his works and that he was this short guy with a hat and a funny looking mustache.I surprisingly learned a lot about Charlie Chaplin after watching this film!I learned that he had a very tough childhood, his love life was just a very big mess and he couldn't keep his pants on and finally, that he was one of the first actors to direct their own films.The final verdict i give for this film is a 8/10.This movie had very good story telling!Before knowing much about Charlie Chaplin i thought his life was probably a breeze from seeing what kind of an actor he was and he handled his role as the Tramp.While watching this movie i found many parts a movie needs when explaining a biography such as being interesting,emotional,romance,action packed and fun!I'm actually very glad i watched this movie and experienced this movie!It made me very thankful for Charlie Chaplin and for what he did to movies today.I now look at Charlie Chaplin not only as a silly character but a "Legend" and that is a name he truly earned!
Roedy Green Chaplin is one of my favourite films. The people who don't like it likely wanted a documentary about Chaplin's life work. That would be better done simply collecting clips of the real Chaplin, not using an actor. This film is about the life of Chaplin off camera. It covers his life from child to death. I love films that have long time spans. The real Charlie Chaplin and the one played by Downey that blended easily stole my heart. I wanted so badly for all to work out for him, especially because you know this is a real story. The villains in the story are J. Edgar Hoover, Hitler and Joseph McCarthy people I utterly detest. So I was emotionally hooked.Downey is my favourite actor. It is as if he has a force field around him that exudes vitality. It is as if they filmed him in slow motion so he has plenty of time to get every eyebrow twitch and Adam's apple bobble just right, then the sped it back up to normal. His performance in the Sherlock Holmes is similarly electrifying. I think there are very few actors who could come close to the physical pyrotechnics of Chaplin. Downey is very convincing.They spent a lot money creating sets and costumes to recreate the various time periods. They do it so well you forget they are sets.The picture has a bright, happy, exuberance, beautifully lit, with plenty of lively music.Just as in his films, in real life, Chaplin also liked to sock it to the authorities, prudes and J. Edgar Hoovers of the world. He was wealthy enough and famous enough to mostly get away with it, unlike so many other Hollywood people of the time squashed or terrified into submission by the red scare. His off screen spunkiness reflected the fearlessness of the little tramp. This film has that same lovely cheeky irreverence.It has some tear-jerking moments too. The movie makes clear how lonely it can be when you get too famous or too rich.I did not realise that I was born when Chaplin was only 59. If my life had gone a little differently, perhaps I could have run into him or at least have written a fan letter. Poor Charlie suffered from a life that peaked too early. The tail was great, but paled compared with the first, so he was miserable. I identify with that.I have two small complaints. 1. The film dissembled and made it look as if the Great Dictator was a flop. It was his most popular and lucrative picture.2. the makeup for ageing Charlie from 20 to 40 was crudely done. Basically all the did was dye his hair and eyebrows. The makeup for 60 to 80 was much better done, but not top rate.