☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Modern Times (1936) – C. Chaplin
Similar to The
Gold Rush (1925), Chaplin’s Modern Times is really a hodgepodge of bits that only
vaguely connect to a larger plot. Some of these bits are plenty funny (Amon and
I both laughed out loud). I wrote a review earlier (15/8/11), saying: “A series
of sketches loosely focused on the trials and tribulations of the tramp in the
industrial age (in the role of a factory worker), including the iconic scene
where he is sucked into the gears of the machinery. Some hilarious stuff and
fresher than you would think from 1936. The depiction of desperation (stealing
for bread, shantytowns) and the role of unions and communist thought in the
lives of workers make this more than just slapstick.” I might add that Paulette
Godard is smashing as a vagabond gamin/love interest. Also, given that the silent
era was over, Modern Times is a bit of a holdover, using inter-titles and music
with only occasional sound effects and small amounts of dialogue and singing
and for that reason it was not a success at the time.
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