Review of The Circus (1928) by Morris N — 01 Feb 2007

I have not seen a movie in the theatres in over a month. GASP! Awful right? Nothing seems any good lately. Not good enough to put money down on when money gets tighter and tighter. I have watched a few films on TV, but films I had seen in the theatres and watching them again mostly affirmed what I thought before: Star Wars Episode III is STILL a bunch of junk and a so bad it's funny film, Brokeback Mountain is a really really good film, and King Kong has the best giant ape versus T-rex scenes of all time. Nothing has been too exciting except for a gem I happened to catch on Turner Classic Movies this morning.. Charlie Chaplin's The Circus!

Now I have seen this movie before but I hadn't seen it in quite a while. I caught some of it this morning and it ensnared me so entrancingly I stopped my work and watched the entire film. I'm a HUGE fan of Chaplin's films, especially City Lights which I think is one of the absolute greatest films ever by anyone. This film is excellent too though, and may be his funniest film.

The basic premise is there is a circus that is having a hard time keeping an audience. The head of the circus abuses his daughter and the rest of his employees. Chaplin's Tramp character accidentally stumbles into the circus running away from Police. The crowd LOVES the Tramp and his hi-jinks bring the house down laughing. The Tramp gets hired on and soon finds himself in love with the daughter of the circus leader. But a tight rope walker and fate may have something to say about all of that.

Simply this film has great comedic scenes that are still very funny to this day and it has some moving stuff with the Tramp in love with someone he again is fated not to be with. He goes out of his way at the end to ensure her happiness and it seems like a happy ending til you see the circus drive away and the Tramp left behind in the dust and the debris and all alone. These shots are very strong in how much they convey and get across without any dialogue but with almost painterly composed shots.

Chaplin was a master of cinema, catch any of his films you can. The Circus is a very entertaining one to start with. Other great Chaplin films include: The Kid, City Lights (my favorite of his), Modern Times. The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator, Monsieur Verdoux and Limelight. Chaplin rules! If you're down on what's in theatres now, catch some Chaplin and be rocked!