Review of Monsieur Verdoux (1947) by Audrey-Kim H — 16 Jan 2008

Ah....if life is hard and comedy is harder, then it follows that dark comedy is harder than hell. However, when put in the right hands, it can be very, very funny and even thought-provoking. And, of course, when does Chaplin not have the right hands? (with the exception of "The Countess from Hong Kong"...unfortunately, very little could save that movie despite the all-star cast, but I digress).

Chaplin gives an excellent performance as Monsieur Verdoux; a man who loves his son and crippled wife so much that he marries rich little old ladies so he can bump them off and use the money to provide for his real family. When finally caught and punished (as must be in ordinance with the Code's regulations), he justifies his crimes as being insignificant to what the nations did to each other in WWII. Recommended for any Chaplin fan or anyone with a twisted sense of humor, like me.