Review of Monsieur Verdoux (1947) by Doc M — 20 Aug 2008

Chaplin adequately sub-heads his darkest and most bold cinematic undertaking with the tagline, 'A Comedy of Murders'.

Monsieur Verdoux tells the tale of a French banker who, after being fired from his job of 30 years, decided to embark upon the unsavory career of murdering women for their money. The plot is Chaplin's darkest. However he is able to infuse the story with many elements of laugh-out-loud comedy and even a few heartfelt moments.

What makes the character of Verdoux so unique is his likability. Chaplin both plays and directs the character in such a way as to evoke sympathy from the viewers, and he adeptly pulls this feat off. Verdoux is suave, dashing, funny, and has an false air of sweetness about him.

As with all Chaplin films, the movie revolves around the basic theme of survival. The political message he no-so-subtly places in the film is one of the key elements which got Chaplin banned from the United States. In the movie, Chaplin refers to the crimes of the serial killer, Verdoux, as tame in comparison to the murders caused by nations everyday through war for the sake of business and politics. He even says the classic line, "One murder makes a villain; millions, a hero. Numbers sanctify, my good fellow".

Although it I wouldn't say this is close the Charlie's finest work, it is certainly his boldest and most unique, and I found myself drawn into such a loveably loathsome character. Another classic from one of the masters of cinema.