by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Do you know the real Charlie Chaplin? Most people have seen “him.” They know that mustache, that hat, that cane, and everything else that makes up the persona known as “The Tramp.” Hundreds of film appearances as this fun and offbeat character made Chaplin a household name. But they never heard him speak. There is a decent chance that many of you reading this probably have not either (except maybe if you watched the incredible classic The Great Dictator). For me, the experience going into The Real Charlie Chaplin might be different compared to many of you. I have a lot of experience with a (albeit overly dramatized) version of his life thanks to the film Chaplin. Robert Downey Jr. was a fantastic version of Chaplin, and certainly embodied plenty of his trauma… and not so great aspects of his life. But that film only scratched the surface.
How does this new Showtime documentary standout in Chaplin lore? Directors Peter Middleton and James Spinney provide a cinematic experience filled with depth and texture. There are elements that feel ripped from the overly traditional model of documentaries that you might find on a TV channel. The film does offer a methodical pace that shuffles along, instead of briskly walking through the life and legacy of this legendary director and actor. There is consistent voiceover that brings the audience along to all the events appearing on screen. Pearl Mackie does offer some strong voice work that gives the film a classic feel. This documentary might feel a little too old school for some, but that atmosphere does match well with the story being told.
How do Middleton and Spinney handle the mountainous story that is Chaplin’s life and legacy? The storytelling approaches are varied and certainly keep the film interesting along the way. There are a few elements, like the dramatizations, that make certain emotional beats really come to life. The impact of the country turning on Chaplin post-The Great Dictator would not have landed as well if it wasn’t for the reenacted reporters grilling a dramatized version of Chaplin over it. There is a fleeting and somber feel to most of the film as the narrative navigates between standard biopic beats and some divergent scenes that flesh out the bigger picture of his legacy through historians and other people. There are a few moments where voice clips from Chaplin’s kids deliver some heavy trues that the audience must process.
But does this premium channel documentary do justice to the legacy of such a great artist? It is a tough job to summarize and analyze a legacy like this. The narrative steps out the whole career of Chaplin (from huge peaks of creative work to terrible falls for those in the way of progress). You see the progress of Chaplin’s filmmaking and acting persona. The film does not shy away at all from the darker realities of Chaplin’s life. He dealt with his mother in an asylum when he was young. This wrong footing had placed Chaplin in a tough place to process. One admirable thing about this documentary is that you DO see the REAL Charlie Chaplin. No “The Tramp,” but instead, a genius man who is a workaholic and treated his wives poorly and neglected his children. When the credits finally roll, you will find yourself knowing this layer and complex man who might not be all that you expect.
Should audiences head to the theater this week, or wait for the Showtime streaming release? For all those cinephiles out there who love the movies and want to see some new ones (including this one coming to theaters on November 19), check this one out. You will learn quite a bit from the experiences of this genius along the way. It’s a quality documentary for a complex man in the world of Hollywood.
Grade: B
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