Review of Chaplin (1992) by Stephen M — 20 Mar 2008
It is darned difficult to do biopics that will be interesting and Chaplin is one of the good ones. It captures your attention and holds it (almost) throughout the entire movie. It can get a little long, a little slow and the mind can wander - this, especially, happens when Downey is playing the oldest version of Chaplin, under heavily powdered cracks of prosthetic old age makeup and using a croaking whisper to show the audience JUST how old he is.
As the young Chaplin, though, he is amazingly charasmatic and beautiful. You can see why everyone fell in love with him!
It is always interesting to see what famous actors will be chosen to play the famous actors of the past. Sometimes the casting is greatly accurate and others, not at all. My favourite of this casting is the enchanting Diane Lane as (natch, the enchanting) Paullette Goddard. Though the marriage between Goddard and Chaplin doesn't last long enough to keep Lane onscreen for much of the movie, their chemistry is visible and their scenes together, a delight.
Especially worth noting: Geraldine Chaplin as Charlie's mother; Penelope Ann Miller as a spot on perfect Edna Purviance; Moira Kelly, in every frame that she is in. Also worth noting: the hypnotic score by John Barry.
This review of Chaplin (1992) was written by Stephen M on 20 Mar 2008.
Chaplin has generally received positive reviews.
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