Review of Chaplin (1992) by Jordan P — 05 Apr 2010
Ann made me watch this again. Physical force was involved.
First the movie, then Robert Downey Jr.:
The movie was clearly made by people who care about Chaplin and his history, so the attempt to tell his history in one motion picture is a good effort, but it was laced with a few doses of Hollywood exaggeration -- maybe to say this is Chaplin's point of view, but then again there were several times were they made it seem like Chaplin was the only real human being in the world.
RDJ has charisma and talent. But he doesn't have the same brand of charisma that Chaplin had. It's not his fault he landed the job to play Chaplin, and he did the best you could expect him to do. But his manner of delivering lines as Chaplin is very under-the-breath and sullen, whereas the real Chaplin was boisterous and engaging. His physical comedy is great for someone doing a Chaplin impression on the spot, but compared to the real Chaplin, he again just doesn't have IT (I told Ann he looks clumsy and ugly by comparison).
If you're interested in Chaplin, don't come here for the answers. Watch his movies! They're pretty %&$%@&#*&^$ good -- you can't uncapture rare charisma, dramatic talent, and comic genius, no matter how much time passes.
This review of Chaplin (1992) was written by Jordan P on 05 Apr 2010.
Chaplin has generally received positive reviews.
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