Review of Modern Times (1936) by Jacob M — 21 Jul 2013

I was never particularly interesting in seeing silent films, but my recent viewing of Hugo, a wonderful piece of film dedicated to silent cinema, got me interested in seeing silent films. Hearing that the most famous silent star was Charlie Chaplin, my first big experience with silent cinema started with Modern Times, which would be Chaplin's final silent film before going into sound.

What I didn't realize was how talented Chaplin actually is. I never realized that he directed films or even scored them. With Modern Times, Chaplin delights in the direction and music and even touches audiences with his story about industrialized America.

In Modern Times, Chaplin plays a factory worker during The Great Depression (which, incidentally, the film came out during the real deal) but goes crazy due to the new machines being added to the place. After recovering in an asylum, Chaplin is mistaken for a communist leader and ends up in jail. When released after foiling a prison riot, Chaplin meets an orphaned girl (Paulette Goddard) who spends her time in the streets earning a living. The rest of the film focuses on Chaplin's attempts to find work and helping the girl find a home to live.

What impresses me the most about Modern Times is that it's a silent film released in 1936, a time when silent cinema had been long dead and more and more sound film were being made. Originally, Chaplin was interested in making this a sound picture, but instead decided to do it the old-fashioned way, but does add sound effects, such as talking machines, gunshots, and smacks on the door. Had this been a sound picture, I don't believe the film would have worked as well.

Charlie Chaplin is a talented comedian, and this film proves it. Modern Times shows Chaplin in the funniest sequences. Chaplin falls inside one of the machines, goes crazy after unintentionally having "nose-powder" , and even has a time fixing roast duck in a restaurant. Chaplin even sings in the film, and it's a real delight.

Surprisingly put in a comedy is the drama added throughout the film, especially from Goddard's character. In her opening scenes, we see her father get shot and killed in a raid, and her younger sisters taken away by officials. These scenes make you root for her more and it makes the relationship between her and Chaplin work (they would later marry, making the romance that more realistic).

With his final silent film, Charlie Chaplin proves without a doubt that he is a talented director, a talented comedian, and a talented composer. Modern Times is funny, touching, and full of Chaplin energy. Now I need to look into his other films and other famous silent films.