Review of The Great Dictator (1940) by John S — 22 Feb 2012

Charlie Chaplin was a very rare filmmaker, in the sense that he was able to create several near-perfect (and some absolutely perfect) masterpieces in succession. The Great Dictator is one of these masterpieces, and sits as high as Chaplin's best work.

The Great Dictator is perhaps Chaplin's most intelligent film. It rivals and perhaps surpasses Modern Times as being a brilliant take on controversial matters with very poignant satire. You can't help but admire Charlie's daring and the utter brilliance in the humor and the clever gags. There are some ingenious jokes that keep you laughing even after they're over, because of how they play on your mind.

Charlie is spectacular here, his ability to portray such different and similar characters (in every aspect: speech, demeanor, disposition, and sense of humor) at the same time is bedazzling. The silent film star shows us that he can be just as funny and moving (if not more) in a talkie. And he delivers one of the greatest movie monologues I've ever seen. His speech is so utterly captivating, I felt lost in his words and in his very self.

It's not a perfect film, there aren't as many hilarious jokes as you might expect from Chaplin and the script isn't as tight, but the brilliance in this film is more attributed to smart satire, and the underlying messages within. But one can't forget that some of Chaplin's most amazing and iconic scenes are in this film, like the barbershop scene and the globe dance scene. The Great Dictator is thoroughly amusing, and provides with a wholly uplifting and thought-provoking experience, which is perfection in it's own way.