Modern Times


Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford, Chester Conklin, Hank Mann, Stanley Blystone, Al Ernest Garcia
Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy, Drama
1936

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:
A man (Charlie Chaplin) struggles in his factory job and with the changes to society at large.
Review:

Tim: As much as I like Charlie Chaplin, his films always felt like they didn't quite reach their full potential. I certainly enjoyed City Lights and The Gold Rush, but those felt like good movies with great moments. Neither film came together as well as it could have. Fortunately, that's not the case with Modern Times, which is quite likely Chaplin's masterwork. This is a great film that has endured for decades. It's entertaining, funny, and asks some poignant questions about the "modern" world. I loved this movie.

As you would expect, Chaplin delivers a number of insane physical gags. The scenes in the factory are truly astounding. The assembling line scenes are something I could watch for hours. I was transfixed, watching the craziness as three men pulled off just incredible physical acts. In addition to being hilarious, those scenes often a fascinating commentary on the factory system, that sought to turn men and women into machines. Chaplin captures this perfectly in those sequences. I also absolutely loved the blindfolded roller skating scene. I did a little research to see how Chaplin pulled it off. It's ingenious, but the end result is nerve-racking in a way few films of this era could have achieved. The multiple close calls by a totally oblivious skater is something I'll never forget. The restaurant scenes are likewise fantastic. It uses borrowed gags from a previous short, but Chaplin perfects the sequences. This movie's physical gags are just incredible- it's Chaplin at his best.

I was a big fan of the way Paulette Goddard's character was depicted. It's not surprising for the era, but women always seemed to be underdeveloped in Chaplin's films. It was as if they existed just to play off him. Goddard's character felt more fleshed out, more independent than similar roles in previous films. I appreciated that she character got more to do than I expected.

I also have to say that I absolutely loved that Chaplin made the decision to make Modern Times as a (mostly) silent film. This bucked the trend of movies in 1936. The first commercially successful "talkie" came out in 1927. So, it's amazing that with that superior technology, 9 years later, Chaplin decides to make this throwback film. It's not surprising that this is considered the last great silent film of its era. The film does offer a few scenes of minimal dialogue, some singing. But, most of it must have just a bit old school in 1936. In many ways, this feels like a love letter to an ending era. I couldn't think of a more perfect film to mark the transition. Chaplin's film is all about new technology, how it was reinventing society. A lot of good comes from new technology, but a piece of humanity is lost along with it. That's a powerful message for Chaplin to ruminate on in 1936. The same questions feel relevant today (2020, as I write this).

This was also a fitting conclusion to the Tramp. Chaplin's character was one of the icons of world cinema. He is instantly recognizable and feels like the best visual representation of the silent film era. This was a welcome love letter to the character. I love that Chaplin fought so hard against having the Tramp speak. He does (shockingly) sing in this film, but it's a gibberish song, which feels absolutely perfect.

In one film, Chaplin manages to stoke conversation about the advent of new technology, how it was reinventing society, how it impacted human beings. He explores the manufacturing world, what it's like to live in a Depression. He makes us laugh and entertains us. He says goodbye to a beloved character and closes the door on an entire era of film. This movie is essential in the history of film. Modern Times is now rightly considered a classic. It's also a truly great movie.

One final note- I watched this film with my five year-old son. I didn't expect him to be interested at all. He loved it. He watched the entire film with me, laughing along, asking questions. It was one of the most engaged viewings I've seen from him. He loved the movie. I'll never forget watching this movie with him- it's one of the my favorite movie memories. I'll always love this movie a little more for that reason.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Gold Rush, City Lights, The Great Dictator