Chaplin (1992)

Chaplin is like a ten foot beautiful ornate bar of chocolate, as in even though it is great, there is simply far too much of it for a person to take in through one sitting.

The film takes on the task of showing the private life of famous entertainer Charlie Chaplin, and how the process of creating great "simple" slapstick requires a truly complex man. Overall the performances in the movie are well done, but the star of the show is definitely Robert Downey Jr. He keeps the lovable comedic traits that people expect of Chaplin while showing his more complex emotions when dealing with people close to him. His banter with Douglas Fairbanks shows Downey at his best, creating levity while also discussing important matters.

The stylised scenes sprinkled throughout the movie are definitely the highlights of the film, creating a Chaplinesque feel while still advancing the plot. The use of classic Chaplin techniques for the action is the best place to notice the more subtle nods to the movie's namesake, with none popping out of the screen drenched in bad taste, which is highly commendable.

The script, however could have done with a further draft or two, as it just seemed as though the writers were going into intensive detail about relatively unimportant points in his life, which seriously impedes pacing throughout the movie. These details are still well directed and enjoyable but just slow the movie far too much. The classic cheesy 90s "where are they now sequence" makes an unwelcome visit at the end of the movie, which could have been excused if it weren't for it dragging on for an ungodly period of time, which significantly damages the goodwill that it had been building up with the reader throughout the movie, as it is the last thing the viewer will see and the most prominent thing in their mind about the movie even long after viewing.

The movie is a beautifully shot homage to Chaplin that still manages to be its own independent entity.

4/5