Week #9: Released in 1931, directed by Charlie Chaplin, 87 minutes. New to me!

LetterBoxd Score: 4 stars

Charlie Chaplin is, as you might guess, pretty funny. I think my favorite gags in this movie where when he is discovered sleeping on the lap of a newly unveiled statue; as he tries to extricate himself with a lot of difficulty, he keeps tipping his hat in an apologetic manner to the booing crowd. Even better is that gag where an eccentric millionaire gifts Chaplin his car, and a nice suit, but otherwise he’s still a penniless tramp. Spotting another person smoking a cigar, he tracks them with his car until the cigar is discarded. When another tramp eagerly tries to get the car, he is shocked to find himself beaten to the punch by an apparent rich guy, driving a car in a nice suit, who rushes out, snatches the cigar butt and smokes it themselves.

The emotional beats work pretty well too, especially the raw emotion of Chaplin at the end, as his (blind) true love recognizes the feel of his hand.

Why would someone think it’s one of the ten greatest movies ever made?

Apparently, it’s Orson Welles’ and Robert Bresson’s favorite movie, and Stanley Kubrick and Andrei Tarkovsky’s fifth favorite movie. I just can’t see it, unless “favorite” means something like idiosyncratic personal favorite movie to watch or something. I could imagine someone having a deep personal connection to it, thinking it’s hilarious, even as they appreciate the craft. But I think you really need to bring a lot to it, and read a lot into it. To me, the movie feels too much like a loose collection of gags; I can’t understand why Chaplin had to work on the script for a year? I don’t know – it’s fun, with a very striking image at the end?

Next week: M