Ultimateserge’s Block

Modern Times-1936 June 5, 2010

Rating*****

Directed By:Charlie Chaplin

Starring:
Charlie Chaplin
Paulette Goddard
Henry Bergman
Stanley Sandford
Chester Conklin

Pros:
• Insightful message of Industrialism and the unfortunate sacrifices that come
with it.
• The truth about capitalism, and especially the American Dream
• Beautiful musical score

Cons:
• None

In the last use of his “Little Tramp” character, Chaplin creates a portrait of mass production that is both harrowing and insightful. A talkie in its own right, the tramp is still a quiet figure continuing his mischief. As usual with Tramp, his companions being runaway/beggar females or children, at first this may not seem to cover ground that Chaplin’s proceeding work have not done. However, Chaplin succeeds in making a mockery, rightfully, of mass production, and the inhibited horrors that accompany it.

As a factory worker, he is so pressured that even a momentary annoyance by a pest can effect his work tremendously leading him getting caught in the (innerworkings) of the factory. The manager of the factory is displayed as a ruthless man worried only about increasing profit, as to order the tramp to get back to work on his break. An ingenious scene occurs with the testing of a device that would dramatically cut the length of lunch breaks by giving a machine the power to actually “feed” workers.

The whole tale displays the Tramp’s inability to hold to a steady job, getting fired or eventually giving up realizing his inability to function in certain environments. His multiple outings with the law, always humorous include the only instances that he is in peace with society. This is so vivid that at is explained life in his jail was comfortable.

. It is truly remarkable to view a man set out to voluntarily be placed in jail because he is dysfunctional in society; or rather, society is dysfunctional in regards to him. Even after he meets the girl, his luck does not increase, but his ambition and motivation to gain an income increases. For the first time, he exclaims that he will get them such a house, even if he has to work for it. After all their ambition and motivation is drenched, the couple does not give up, though admitting that happiness is very hard to reach. They can wish and fantasize for the American Dream as much as they want, but it is far from their grasp.

This is one of Chaplin’s most somber films, one that after all these years has held its poignant grip, continuing to ring true generations later.