Chaplin's masterpiece is not only a brilliant and funny commentary on industrialism and technology, but also on how capitalism and materialism have made us more mechanical as a soceity.
This was my first Chaplin's movie, and I loved it. I didn't expected such a lovely performance. The fact that they don't talk in the movie really makes you appreciate the music (and by the way, it was compossed by Chaplin himself).
I prefer other Chaplin films - this one feels like a load of sketches thrown together rather than a coherent narrative - but Goddard is totally gorgeous in this and a couple of scenes are amongst Chaplin's best moments. Love the end too... a great message for life.
The perennially subversive Tramp is a Communist rabble rouser that loves blow and foiling prison escapes. As well as stealing the hearts of beautiful street urchin dames.
Looking at Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times for the first time in decades, I got to wondering if images of mechanization make up some kind of sub-genre in silent cinema, in which Metropolis and Tati might figure. But of course, what we remember of Modern Times, the giant cogs and Charlie being put through various machines, is only a small part of the film (the first 20 minutes and a bit towards the end). So striking are those images that we tend to forget Chaplin eating enough raw cocaine to make a bull O.D., his rollerskating blindfolded, his fantasy home, and actually giving voice to the Tramp. And we might, but shouldn't, forget Paulette Goddard, who as the Gamin(e) is the perfect female version of the Tramp, looking very modern in this somehow - I think her simple, ragged black dress is a classic - she is gorgeous and interesting and with Chaplin quoting himself at the end, gives the Tramp a kind of closure. Modern Times' theme of mechanization is only part of the picture, or if it's stealing jobs, it goes hand in hand with the Great Depression, causing the unemployment that has the Tramp trying this job and that (as per the usual structure of his films) and in what seems modern indeed, getting beat up by cops and arrested for no other reason than innocently walking through an organized protest. Sigh. I find there's value to making silent films in the talkie era (here, 1936), as it allows for some spoken dialog, sound effects, and more interesting synchronized music. Modern Times uses all of these to great effect and stands as one of Chaplin's greatest works.
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hannark
Paulette Goddard is beautiful in this film.Groovy09
Chaplin's masterpiece is not only a brilliant and funny commentary on industrialism and technology, but also on how capitalism and materialism have made us more mechanical as a soceity.Orly
This was my first Chaplin's movie, and I loved it. I didn't expected such a lovely performance. The fact that they don't talk in the movie really makes you appreciate the music (and by the way, it was compossed by Chaplin himself).mjb0123
The first image of the sheep contrasted with the image of men going to work is absolutely brilliant.ganjagrim
Bittersweet ending, but worthwhile.dombrewer
@Masch Man: because it's not silent? :)I prefer other Chaplin films - this one feels like a load of sketches thrown together rather than a coherent narrative - but Goddard is totally gorgeous in this and a couple of scenes are amongst Chaplin's best moments. Love the end too... a great message for life.
ashy
The entire time I was like "Why is she still barefoot, she was in a department store for god's sake!"bilalakyuz
This is what cinema is!fonz
The perennially subversive Tramp is a Communist rabble rouser that loves blow and foiling prison escapes. As well as stealing the hearts of beautiful street urchin dames.fakirfikir
It is the first time in cinema of history that the audience heard Charlie Chaplin's voice. All in all, good movie worth watching.arunraj
the ending singing scene is awesome.....great Chaplinseithscott
Brilliant! Chaplin is a genius and Paulette Goddard is amazing.tylerdurden
you gotta love chaplinSiskoid
Looking at Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times for the first time in decades, I got to wondering if images of mechanization make up some kind of sub-genre in silent cinema, in which Metropolis and Tati might figure. But of course, what we remember of Modern Times, the giant cogs and Charlie being put through various machines, is only a small part of the film (the first 20 minutes and a bit towards the end). So striking are those images that we tend to forget Chaplin eating enough raw cocaine to make a bull O.D., his rollerskating blindfolded, his fantasy home, and actually giving voice to the Tramp. And we might, but shouldn't, forget Paulette Goddard, who as the Gamin(e) is the perfect female version of the Tramp, looking very modern in this somehow - I think her simple, ragged black dress is a classic - she is gorgeous and interesting and with Chaplin quoting himself at the end, gives the Tramp a kind of closure. Modern Times' theme of mechanization is only part of the picture, or if it's stealing jobs, it goes hand in hand with the Great Depression, causing the unemployment that has the Tramp trying this job and that (as per the usual structure of his films) and in what seems modern indeed, getting beat up by cops and arrested for no other reason than innocently walking through an organized protest. Sigh. I find there's value to making silent films in the talkie era (here, 1936), as it allows for some spoken dialog, sound effects, and more interesting synchronized music. Modern Times uses all of these to great effect and stands as one of Chaplin's greatest works.BigAwesomeBLT
What a lovely film :)Showing items 1 – 15 of 28