Review of Limelight (1952) by Luciano J — 27 Apr 2008
Chaplin's swan song (although not quite) to the stage in general and comedy in particular holds its own as a beautiful, heart-breaking film about a clown given a new lease on life through caring for, and falling in love with, a young ballerina. Melodramatic at times, this film nonetheless holds on tenaciously to the beauty of life and the power of comedy to lift us above our own, often mundane existences. 'Limelight' cannot be labelled a vanity picture because it is at once so honest, so beautiful, and so funny that it transcends its star's ego.
The film does fall short in places. It is overlong, the ballet sequences are less than stimulating, and Claire Bloom's character descends once too often into hysteria to make it all credible. But Chaplin's melancholic yet joyful face banishes all those thoughts to the background.
Sadly lacking in some of Chaplin's trademark slapstick, there is a wonderful scene near the end that makes everything worthwhile. Chaplin and Keaton, on stage together for five of the funniest minutes ever committed to film, play piano, violin and prove why they are icons. We are in the presence of great artists, and damn if we don't know it.
This review of Limelight (1952) was written by Luciano J on 27 Apr 2008.
Limelight has generally received very positive reviews.
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