Day 107: Modern Times (1936)

Movie #68 – Modern Times (1936) - 87 min, cert U.

Charlie Chaplin is a factory worker, but the tedium of the work drives him to a mental breakdown and he loses his job. He meets a pretty young homeless girl. He gets arrested and thrown in jail. He gets various jobs which he can’t hang on to, etc., etc.

‘You'll never laugh as long and as loud again as long as you live! The laughs come so fast and so furious you'll wish it would end before you collapse!’ – That was the tagline when it first came out. The only part of this I agree with is ‘you’ll wish it would end’. I like a comedy that’s witty and clever. There is no wit in this. Never has the word witless been more appropriate for a film. No intelligence is required to watch this movie. It is designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator in the audience. It is the 1930s comedic equivalent of Rik and Ade hitting each other with frying pans in Bottom.

At least I could look back on City Lights and think of one redeeming scene. I’ve tried to do that with this movie and can’t think of a single one. This was the last ‘silent’ movie Chaplin ever made, and he really shouldn’t have bothered.

Score – 1/10 and I’m being generous. Truly awful.

Next up is Chinatown. I’m not sure whether I’ve seen this movie or not. I’ve a feeling that I have, but I can’t remember anything about it. I’ll have to see if it looks familiar.