Rounding out the Charlie Chaplin films included on the AFI's Top 100 list is the indisputably greatest installment of his Little Tramp series of films, Modern Times. This movie is an incredible achievement in filmmaking and while Chaplin exhibits his usual wit, he also utilizes so much satire about the filmmaking industry of the time. There is so much to love about this film that makes it one of, if not the, greatest comedy of all time and it is so clear how Chaplin's style has evolved and enhanced for the sake of this movie. Incorporating both comedy and a clever romance subplot to enrichen his story, Chaplin is such a master at engaging his audience and while he uses fantasy and physical comedy more often in this film, it pays off handsomely. I can honestly say that this film took some turns that I was not quite expecting but while it subverted my expectations in that regard, it also subverted my expectations in how genuinely sweet and damn hilarious a silent film could be.
Trying to survive through the industrial revolution and the ever-changing economy, the little tramp (Charlie Chaplin) works in a high-functioning factory but fails to keep up with the ridiculous demands of the job. While he bounces from job to job and inadvertently becomes an infamous political figure, he also falls in love with a young gamin (Paulette Goddard) and the two of them struggle to stay afloat. The tramp's journey with the gamin and the many different locations they visit throughout this film says so much about the economic conditions of the time. While it is very entertaining for them to pretend to be living in high class, their playful nature also plays a lot into the wonderful satire aspect of this film. Chaplin's script for this film is absolutely incredible and he is able to utilize satire to a degree that I have never seen before from a film of this time. Chaplin combines the inescapable class struggle that many people dealt with during this time with such an amazing sense of optimism that is rare to see. His social commentary on the way that factories treated their workers and the hardships that families had to go through was fantastic and he did so with the utmost sense of comedy that never ceases to entertain. I also thought it was such a smart move for Chaplin to use just a hint of early fourth wall breaking in this film. There are certain shots and moments that really do call for this type of self-reflection and because of the themes that this film presents, Chaplin really highlighted those particular moments for the audience to look back on and realize that despite the humor, there were serious problems at play.
The comedy aspect of this entire film is obviously what remains prevalent and the way that Chaplin directs this story and how his character ends up in all of these ludicrous situations is hilarious. Physical comedy is one of this film's strongest points and the recurring theme of the tramp getting thrown in jail provides for so much humor in the face of Chaplin's important messages in his storytelling. Charlie Chaplin is one of the most critical figures in comedy and filmmaking of this period and while he made his career from the silent era, I adore how this film fights back against the innovation of sound in film and how Chaplin maintains his noninclusion of the talkie technology. It's not that he thinks sound and talking in film is a bad thing but the way that he keeps his silent reputation as the tramp while using some sound in the musical sequence and certain lines of dialogue throughout the film is incredibly clever. Chaplin almost fights back against sound in this film while still embracing its advantages. All of this film's technical pieces are astounding as well and help to tell his story with beautiful ease. Roland Totheroh and Ira H. Morgan's cinematography is fantastic and this film includes one of the first, front-facing, tracking shots in this period that I have seen. While the shot did feel a little out of place, it is so interesting to see these cinematographers experiment with the art form so early on. Chaplin's music is once again incredibly well-suited but the editing is what really stood out to me the most throughout Modern Times. Chaplin and Willard Nico's editing is very quick and utilizes cutaways and close-ups brilliantly. Everything about this film is truly perfect and while it might seem a bit cliché to gush about Chaplin's talent as a filmmaker, it is all absolutely warranted.
The comedy aspect of this entire film is obviously what remains prevalent and the way that Chaplin directs this story and how his character ends up in all of these ludicrous situations is hilarious. Physical comedy is one of this film's strongest points and the recurring theme of the tramp getting thrown in jail provides for so much humor in the face of Chaplin's important messages in his storytelling. Charlie Chaplin is one of the most critical figures in comedy and filmmaking of this period and while he made his career from the silent era, I adore how this film fights back against the innovation of sound in film and how Chaplin maintains his noninclusion of the talkie technology. It's not that he thinks sound and talking in film is a bad thing but the way that he keeps his silent reputation as the tramp while using some sound in the musical sequence and certain lines of dialogue throughout the film is incredibly clever. Chaplin almost fights back against sound in this film while still embracing its advantages. All of this film's technical pieces are astounding as well and help to tell his story with beautiful ease. Roland Totheroh and Ira H. Morgan's cinematography is fantastic and this film includes one of the first, front-facing, tracking shots in this period that I have seen. While the shot did feel a little out of place, it is so interesting to see these cinematographers experiment with the art form so early on. Chaplin's music is once again incredibly well-suited but the editing is what really stood out to me the most throughout Modern Times. Chaplin and Willard Nico's editing is very quick and utilizes cutaways and close-ups brilliantly. Everything about this film is truly perfect and while it might seem a bit cliché to gush about Chaplin's talent as a filmmaker, it is all absolutely warranted.
Modern Times is one of the most satirical and genuinely enjoyable comedies ever made and one that actually still has something to say. While its themes of class struggles and warfare were written to reflect that of the Great Depression, it is still incredibly relevant today and continues to astound. Along with the sharp editing, innovative cinematography, and fantastic comedy, Chaplin still remains one of the most talented filmmakers of all time.
My Rating: ★★★★★
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