Charlie Chaplin moves into the 1950s with an unusual drama about an alcoholic old timer (Chaplin as Calvero) and suicidal young ballerina (Claire Bloom as Terry). The comedian "Calvero" is drunk as the film opens, and obviously in the twilight of his career. He rescues Ms. Bloom from a suicide attempt and helps her to get back on her feet (so to speak).
The film seems almost like nothing, but becomes quite substantial. It's a very thoughtful film -- obviously, Chaplin in his 60s has lost none of his film-making skills: the difference is that you come to Chaplin on His terms. No longer interested (capable?) of producing massive audience "hits", Chaplin produces an indulgent, sentimental "Limelight". It's an excellent work, but very hard to digest.
Some impressions: Comedy is ballet. Life is ballet. Young needs old. Old needs young. Comics need a drug. Perhaps the film needs a single focus? I found the sequences where Chaplin is told by the "suits" he's washed-up to be most memorable; along with the small scene where a comic goes in for Chaplin's job because he's heard the old clown is awful. The stuff with Buster Keaton is very nice, too, and makes you wish the would have done a full film together. I believe Keaton's role makes the film deliberately less autobiographical than many would believe, but you can never be sure
Chaplin is interesting to watch always; when he seems to be doing nothing, he's not.
******** Limelight (1952) Charles Chaplin ~ Charlie Chaplin, Claire Bloom, Buster Keaton
The film seems almost like nothing, but becomes quite substantial. It's a very thoughtful film -- obviously, Chaplin in his 60s has lost none of his film-making skills: the difference is that you come to Chaplin on His terms. No longer interested (capable?) of producing massive audience "hits", Chaplin produces an indulgent, sentimental "Limelight". It's an excellent work, but very hard to digest.
Some impressions: Comedy is ballet. Life is ballet. Young needs old. Old needs young. Comics need a drug. Perhaps the film needs a single focus? I found the sequences where Chaplin is told by the "suits" he's washed-up to be most memorable; along with the small scene where a comic goes in for Chaplin's job because he's heard the old clown is awful. The stuff with Buster Keaton is very nice, too, and makes you wish the would have done a full film together. I believe Keaton's role makes the film deliberately less autobiographical than many would believe, but you can never be sure
Chaplin is interesting to watch always; when he seems to be doing nothing, he's not.
******** Limelight (1952) Charles Chaplin ~ Charlie Chaplin, Claire Bloom, Buster Keaton