Review of Chaplin (1992) by Nicole R — 22 Apr 2010

Robert Downey Jr. was born to play Chaplin. He was destined to play this man.

He's playing a comedian. But most of the scenes aren't comedic at all. Because this movie tells the life story of Sir Charles Chaplin-- one of the greatest comedic actors and directors in the history of films. As a comedian, his life is just filled with drama. His life's a drama. You can really see the evidences of Robert really getting focused and getting into it, occupying Charlie Chaplin's skin and being one with the character he was portraying. Much respect from me to that. Not once have I referred to Mr. Downey Jr. as Robert Downey Jr. when in character because let's face it: he's just THAT good.

Unlike any other bio movie, this is better. Wanna know why? Because it doesn't just show the events in a sequence and leave it be. No, they narrated the story. It's pure genius, actually. Because in the movie, the old version of Chaplin is being interviewed by an old friend and therefore answers the questions which are who, what, when, where, and why. And you just feel the character; you feel Chaplin as if you were him. And that's the kind of magic people want to see, hear, and feel.

Scruffy as it was, Robert Downey Jr.'s English accent was pretty damn impressive for an American man. A little rough, and had some flaws but still, it was great. But that was years ago and of course he improved. Compare it with his accent in "Sherlock Holmes". It's better. But in his early days in Chaplin, he could've done worse. But instead, he did better.

The other actors were amazing. They really did support Robert's character which is Chaplin. They weren't independent. Meaning, they didn't have their own strings and their own story. They're supporting characters and that's what the actors really did. The characters had connections with Chaplin that without them, he would never be-- Chaplin. And that's why supporting actor are important. They contribute to the leading role and the character's personality and story. Chaplin's story is pretty complicated. There's too many ups and downs it's hard to keep track of it all. If you're not a good actor, then you can pretty much screw the whole thing up. But they didn't. They really supported the leading role and pulled it off.

Geraldine Chaplin is Charlie Chaplin's daughter in the flesh. And the fact that she was portraying a family member (which is her grandmother) is something that made the movie more realistic and more magical. She is a Chaplin herself and they're doing a movie about her father and she has Charlie's blood in her veins. It's a brilliant idea.

Robert did his own stunts as Chaplin. He'd literally break his bones to get that Oscar but he didn't. He lost to some guy who the Academy agrees is better than what Robert just did. After the hard work, the stunts, and the hardcore life story, he lost. And that's something that up until now-- I couldn't accept. But to me, Chaplin won.