Chaplin

Name: Chaplin
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: January 8, 1993
Duration: 143 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Robert Downey Jr.

1993

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Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings

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Chaplin

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Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: January 8, 1993 | PG-13

Starring: Robert Downey Jr.

Summary: A film about the troubled and controversial life of the master comedy filmmaker Charles Chaplin.

Director: Richard Attenborough

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 143 min

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Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle

Jun 30, 2017

No film biography can capture or explain or add to the magic of Chaplin at his best, because these screen moments are perfect in themselves. But Chaplin, with dignity and some vitality, does what it can -- it holds up a light and points the way. [08 Jan 1993, p.D1]

Rick Groen

Jun 30, 2017

Chaplin is a mediocre movie that you can't take your eyes off. Your wandering mind is telling you one thing: This is a standard check-list biography, the kind of glossy whitewash that treats a man's accomplishments like so many vegetables from the produce aisle - toss 'em in, tick 'em off, and move on. But those riveted eyes are saying something else entirely - they're watching Robert Downey, Jr. with rapt attention, marvelling at his every move, pondering his every gesture.

Todd McCarthy

Jun 30, 2017

Telling the entire story of Chaplin's 88 years was probably a hopeless goal, but the biopic does offer the saving grace of a truly remarkable central performance by Robert Downey Jr. and some lovely moments along the way. Read full review

Rita Kempley

Jun 30, 2017

It's a monumental biopic that cheapens the hero's successes by glossing over the failures that surely also shaped the man. Read full review

Louis Black

Jun 30, 2017

This film wanders and dallies and much of it is fun to watch, but you really know about as much about Chaplin when you leave the theatre as when you enter, and what's missing is the magic. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jun 30, 2017

All-in-all, however, even though Chaplin is fitfully entertaining, it fails to touch enough emotional chords to make it of more than passing interest. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Jun 30, 2017

A massive Hollywood biopic about a man who never quite seems there. Read full review

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User Reviews

liamexe

Aug 20, 2022

One of my favourite things ever. excellent acting and direction. I wished Robert Downey Jr. had won the Oscar for his flawless performance in this movie. Even Geraldine Chaplin, who played the role of her own grandmother, was startled when she first saw Robert and remarked in interviews thatOne of my favourite things ever. excellent acting and direction. I wished Robert Downey Jr. had won the Oscar for his flawless performance in this movie. Even Geraldine Chaplin, who played the role of her own grandmother, was startled when she first saw Robert and remarked in interviews that it was like seeing her father approach her! This movie is one of the best ones ever created, and I'll never get tired of it.… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 21, 2021

The first impression I had of this film was that Robert Downey Jnr's supposedly British accent which is featured at the start of the film was less than impressive, to put it mildly. I liked the orchestrated type music played in the background of various flashback scenes. It definitely hasThe first impression I had of this film was that Robert Downey Jnr's supposedly British accent which is featured at the start of the film was less than impressive, to put it mildly. I liked the orchestrated type music played in the background of various flashback scenes. It definitely has that 'Hollywood magic' type feel to it, thanks in part to the orchestral, instrumental music and the portrayal of Chaplin as the on screen caricature, with his visual slapstick cartoonishness etc.

Its part serious and part comedic and I enjoyed both aspects of it. I was pleased to see Dan Akyroyd features as Mack Sennett, a Hollywood film director who hires him from the UK. Also present as a sort of narrator, talking to the aging Chaplin and sometimes shown on screen is a man called George Hayden, an editor working with Chaplin on the writing of his biography - he's played by Anthony Hopkins.

I thought it was interesting to see things from a social history point of view, in terms of how popular silent films were at the time, how the industry worked and how Chaplin rose to fame etc. all of which aren't things I can profess to know a great deal about.

I found it an insightful and entertaining watch and I'd recommend it to others.… Expand

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MrMovieBuff

Aug 29, 2017

A well-made biopic about one of the most extraordinary talents in the history of Hollywood. Richard Attenborough directs 'Chaplin', and stars a charismatic Robert Downey Jr. as Charles Spencer Chaplin, who grew up with his brother Sydney (Paul Rhys) and his mother (Geraldine Chaplin) in aA well-made biopic about one of the most extraordinary talents in the history of Hollywood. Richard Attenborough directs 'Chaplin', and stars a charismatic Robert Downey Jr. as Charles Spencer Chaplin, who grew up with his brother Sydney (Paul Rhys) and his mother (Geraldine Chaplin) in a poverty-stricken household. Charles then enters the entertainment business at a very young age, and this proves to be working out since he has a bright future ahead of him in that field. We see his mother doesn't hold very well, as she develops certain mental issues that lead her to stay isolated for her own good. And it seems that Charles doesn't take this as well as he should. Charles then enters the film industry, but decides to make his own films as he has a certain taste for comedy, that may not be for everyone, but his success overshadows his personal life. We see that Chaplin has been in many relationships with many different women, but they all don't have the time or patience for Chaplin's extensive working time. Time and time again, he works from one movie to another, and it seems that he is becoming over-worked, and even ruling himself against the innovation of cinema when "talkies" are being produced. As I mentioned above, this is a well made biopic that focuses mostly on the downfalls of Chaplin's life, but it doesn't explore the deep and dark emotions as well as I had hoped it would. Downey is electrifying as Chaplin, and deserves his Oscar nomination for the role, but the movie is hollow and too dreary for us to care. Had this film explored the deeper route of Chaplin's life, it would have made an exceptional picture for one of the greatest film legends of all time.… Expand

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