Review of Modern Times (1936) by Orion W — 23 Jul 2008

I've encountered some of Chaplins short films a few times in my life but this is the first time I've seen one of his feature length films, and this one is considered by many to be his best film.

Chaplin is a great physical comedian, his zany antics are almost balletic. His comedy in this film however, it serves to mask the social commentary about industrialization and it effect on the workers, as well as the depression. Later this film would be used against him during the McCarthy hearings when he was suspected of being a communist (which he wasn't).

As I said the physical comedy was great it just seemed to come naturally to him, unlike many physical comedians, who's comedy always seems so forced. Chaplin was a great entertainer and the world would be a better place with more entertainers of his calibur in it.

Paulette Goddard was once again my inspiration for seeing this one, so I owe her even more thanks. She plays the Gamin, the homeless girl who loses her father in a riot. Try as they might, even the dirty face, messy hair, and tattered clothes couldn't hide her beauty. I've heard people say that it even enhanced her beauty, which speaks volumes about the people who say that wink.gif. She and Charlie were a very cute couple in this, and as we now know, they fell in love during the making of this film.

There isn't a whole lot I can say about this film that hasn't been said better by other people. Its definitly one of the great comedies of the 20th century, and the social commentary just as relevent today if not more so because of our increased dependency on technology (which is kind of one of the messages he was trying to convey here, that mankind should not become too dependent on machines).

The fact that this is a mostly silent film will probably ensure that many of the younger crowd won't bother with this, and thats a shame because its alot of fun.