Review of Monsieur Verdoux (1947) by Angela P — 25 Mar 2008
*WARNING - SPOILERS* A fine black comedy, written and directed by the fabulous Charles Chaplin and based on an idea by Orson Welles. Whereas Chaplin's earlier films such as The Kid and Modern Times, although dealing with cruelties and hardships, they leave you with a sense of optimism.
Verdoux however is an uncharacteristically cynical film, the open road of The Tramp is replaced by a sombre death march to the guillotine and all the warmth of charisma displayed by The Tramp is used here as the trickery of a serial killer.
In the hands of say Hitchcock, this film would have been a tense thriller full of shadows and fear, in Chaplin's hands it is a masterpiece of black comedy. It is a disturbing film, not so much for it's subject matter, but more because of the way in which this subject matter is treated.
It is often light hearted, the persistent attempt to kill one of his wives is always played for laughs and this is a killer who never questions or doubts his own actions. This is a wonderful film, an unexpectedly dark film and a joy to see Charlie Chaplin away from the confines of the brilliant Tramp.
This review of Monsieur Verdoux (1947) was written by Angela P on 25 Mar 2008.
Monsieur Verdoux has generally received very positive reviews.
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