Modern Times (1936)
Modern Times (1936)
1936’s Modern Times is my first look at Charlie Chaplin. Despite everyone raving about his work, I never felt particularly attracted to his films because silent films were never my jam. Lucky for ever-changing tastes! This particular film is often considered one of Chaplin’s best so why not use this film to enter his filmography. I loved this film! During it’s breezy 1 hour and 27-minute length, I was enthralled with what this legend brought to the screen. This film, which was seen as far-sighted when initially released, is a politically relevant film even here in the 21st century. The film is also beautiful, romantic, hilarious, well-acted, well-directed, and just a wonderful film in general.
The film was released in 1936, when talky films were in full force. Chaplin’s main appeal was silence and his famed character “The Tramp” was based on actions, not words. He felt sound would alienate many of his fans, which is why he retired the character after this film. He did incorporate sound and a romantic score into his movie. For the first ever, Chaplin’s voice can also be heard as his character sings a gibberish (perhaps, Italian?) song. His later works would be full dialogue, but none would hit the soaring heights of his silent films or so am I led to believe.
Chaplin has always been a political guy, but he generally kept politics away from his films. Not this time. After touring Europe and seeing the ravaging effects of the Great Depression, he felt depressed by what he saw. He also had a discussion with Gandhi about the advent of technology. While Chaplin may not have agreed with everything Gandhi said, he did say he saw exactly what he meant. Essentially, this is a movie about trying to keep our humanity in world with technology that gets better and better. Technology that is used for profit. This theme is why this film is hits hard in today’s extremely modern world.
Chaplin returns to play “The Tramp” one more time here. I don’t know if there is much of a plot as this film plays out like a series of sketches. The first part is Chaplin on an assembly line trying to keep up with the line. Then, Chaplin is chosen to try out a new automatic feeding machine. That is followed by Chaplin being accused of being mentally ill and being a communist. He also falls in love with a beautiful, homeless orphan played by the stunning Paulette Goddard.
The film is all about Chaplin, and Goddard to an extent. This is my first time seeing him in action, and I instantly understood why everyone loved this guy. He does not need to use words to be funny. His slapstick is excellent, and it worked very well with the political themes. My favorite scenes are the assembly line and the singing scenes. The dude pays excellent attention to even the smallest details. The eyebrows, the hand movements, just everything is part of the act. Goddard is a lovely pick by Chaplin and she just has to be about the most beautiful orphan ever seen on film!
Chaplin is associated with just about everything when it comes to producing his films. He directs them, stars in them, and even composes the music. This film is almost perfection when it comes to those aspects of this film. The music, which he originally composed with Alfred Newman, is one of the best scores out there. The score is one of those scores that would reduce you to tears every time you listen to it. It also works very well with the film.
I cannot recommend Modern Times enough. It’s a sharp, relevant film that is absolutely hilarious at times. For a film that came out when silent films were no longer popular, Chaplin had his work cut out for him. The result was one of the greatest films that he ever made, and apparently he made lots of them! I am definitely excited to see more of his works, especially those involving “The Tramp.” What a beautiful movie!
My Grade: A
1936’s Modern Times is my first look at Charlie Chaplin. Despite everyone raving about his work, I never felt particularly attracted to his films because silent films were never my jam. Lucky for ever-changing tastes! This particular film is often considered one of Chaplin’s best so why not use this film to enter his filmography. I loved this film! During it’s breezy 1 hour and 27-minute length, I was enthralled with what this legend brought to the screen. This film, which was seen as far-sighted when initially released, is a politically relevant film even here in the 21st century. The film is also beautiful, romantic, hilarious, well-acted, well-directed, and just a wonderful film in general.
The film was released in 1936, when talky films were in full force. Chaplin’s main appeal was silence and his famed character “The Tramp” was based on actions, not words. He felt sound would alienate many of his fans, which is why he retired the character after this film. He did incorporate sound and a romantic score into his movie. For the first ever, Chaplin’s voice can also be heard as his character sings a gibberish (perhaps, Italian?) song. His later works would be full dialogue, but none would hit the soaring heights of his silent films or so am I led to believe.
Chaplin has always been a political guy, but he generally kept politics away from his films. Not this time. After touring Europe and seeing the ravaging effects of the Great Depression, he felt depressed by what he saw. He also had a discussion with Gandhi about the advent of technology. While Chaplin may not have agreed with everything Gandhi said, he did say he saw exactly what he meant. Essentially, this is a movie about trying to keep our humanity in world with technology that gets better and better. Technology that is used for profit. This theme is why this film is hits hard in today’s extremely modern world.
Chaplin returns to play “The Tramp” one more time here. I don’t know if there is much of a plot as this film plays out like a series of sketches. The first part is Chaplin on an assembly line trying to keep up with the line. Then, Chaplin is chosen to try out a new automatic feeding machine. That is followed by Chaplin being accused of being mentally ill and being a communist. He also falls in love with a beautiful, homeless orphan played by the stunning Paulette Goddard.
The film is all about Chaplin, and Goddard to an extent. This is my first time seeing him in action, and I instantly understood why everyone loved this guy. He does not need to use words to be funny. His slapstick is excellent, and it worked very well with the political themes. My favorite scenes are the assembly line and the singing scenes. The dude pays excellent attention to even the smallest details. The eyebrows, the hand movements, just everything is part of the act. Goddard is a lovely pick by Chaplin and she just has to be about the most beautiful orphan ever seen on film!
Chaplin is associated with just about everything when it comes to producing his films. He directs them, stars in them, and even composes the music. This film is almost perfection when it comes to those aspects of this film. The music, which he originally composed with Alfred Newman, is one of the best scores out there. The score is one of those scores that would reduce you to tears every time you listen to it. It also works very well with the film.
I cannot recommend Modern Times enough. It’s a sharp, relevant film that is absolutely hilarious at times. For a film that came out when silent films were no longer popular, Chaplin had his work cut out for him. The result was one of the greatest films that he ever made, and apparently he made lots of them! I am definitely excited to see more of his works, especially those involving “The Tramp.” What a beautiful movie!
My Grade: A
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