Modern Times (re-release)
United Artists | Release Date: December 26, 2003
8.6
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Universal acclaim based on 201 Ratings
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179
Mixed:
13
Negative:
9
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
ChrisM.Nov 19, 2005
Superb film by a great artist, one not to be missed.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
BryceHooglandJul 9, 2012
Modern Times is directed by the great Charlie Chaplin and I
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
koundinyaJul 15, 2012
Funny depiction of the Great Depression brought out by Charles Chaplin's direction. One movie that leaves you jaw-dropped and at the same time provides rib-tickling entertainment. Hats off! Pun intended.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
Iky009Jan 6, 2014
Certemante um dos mais emblemáticos do cinema.Certemante um dos mais emblemáticos do cinema. … Expand
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9
Compi24Nov 28, 2012
Chaplin once again constructs a positively amusing, yet thematically pragmatic film with "Modern Times."
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9
chwJun 14, 2015
Modern Times is Charlie Chaplin's second best film (the first being City Lights). It has just as good a story as City Lights has, and a great way to end the Tramp collection.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
kyle20ellisMar 29, 2022
As I love Charlie Chaplin, I desperately wanted to see this film, and I am glad I did. It may well have a scathing and critical view of an impersonal society, but that does not stop it from being a wonderful film. What I love most aboutAs I love Charlie Chaplin, I desperately wanted to see this film, and I am glad I did. It may well have a scathing and critical view of an impersonal society, but that does not stop it from being a wonderful film. What I love most about Modern Times is that it is both hilarious and original, and decides to bring a serious message in and a great one it is too.

Modern Times is great visually, the cinematography and editing are both excellent and I loved the machines too as well as the stunning ending shot. The sound is also astonishing, as is the direction. Modern Times isn't completely silent, as it does use some rather nonsensical dialogue, which is used very effectively in mocking the characters. The comedy is very well-handled, we laugh at the Tramp's antics and their consequences, but not only we sympathise with the Tramp but there is also a very poignant love story. And I love the music, actually mainly because of the poignant yet hopeful Smile it is my favourite soundtrack in a Charlie Chaplin movie. The performances are great, Paulette Goddard is wonderful to watch but once again it is Chaplin with his faultless comedic timing and physical humour that captivates most.

Overall, wonderful, another one of Chaplin's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
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2
sebastianaliJun 29, 2019
Boring, so boring the humor and without plot the movie fails in almost everything. I praised the music but nothing else. One of the worst movies i have ever seen. Why the characters doesnt talk? There´s no excuse. The year limitations noBoring, so boring the humor and without plot the movie fails in almost everything. I praised the music but nothing else. One of the worst movies i have ever seen. Why the characters doesnt talk? There´s no excuse. The year limitations no counts and at the end Charlot talks so no excuse.… Expand
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8
JustinSmithSep 26, 2010
While Chaplin is known for his physical comedy, Modern Times moves the Tramp into a new direction, making a hard hitting statement about the depression era and man coexisting with machine.
Chaplin's lovable Tramp character is seen here as aWhile Chaplin is known for his physical comedy, Modern Times moves the Tramp into a new direction, making a hard hitting statement about the depression era and man coexisting with machine.
Chaplin's lovable Tramp character is seen here as a factory worker, on the verge of a breakdown as he's unable to keep up with the frantic pace mandated by the conveyor belt before him. After being subjected to a crack pot inventor's machine, intended to feed employees while they work, the Tramp suffers a breakdown, which causes havoc for man and machine alike. After being mistaken for a communist supporter leading a parade down a street, the Tramp is put in jail, where, after a heroic act, is set free to pursue a life of unemployment. Seeing jail as a better alternative to starvation, the Tramp attempts to return to jail. Meanwhile he meets a Gamin (Paulette Goddard) and they set out to start a new life together.
Modern Times is a significant film for several reasons. It was originally going to be Chaplin's first talkie as the Tramp, it acted as Chaplin's social comment on the depression era, and it is considered the last silent film from that era. In the end, Modern Times became a mix of silent film and talkie, but in keeping with Chaplin's cleverness, all dialog (except for one scene) is spoken through machines. The factory president barks orders at his workers from big screens throughout the factory (a predecessor of the all-seeing "big brother"), a salesman presents a recording of his sales pitch, and voices are heard over a radio. There are also several sounds presented in the film, such as whistles, dogs, and gunshots. This is also the only time the Tramp speaks, but as expected from Chaplin, the Tramp's only audible dialog is a song of gibberish (which Chaplin chose to make sure the dialog could be understood (or not understood) by all people).
With Chaplin's Tramp character, he shows how much control his has over his body and why he's one of the greats of physical comedy. Many of the jokes seem overdone, since they've been mimiced endlessly in Hollywood through the years, but it's still easy to appreciate the level of physical control and demand Chaplin commands in his performance. Chaplin's female co-star, Paulette Goddard is no slouch either as she's right along with him in many scenes and proves a worthy companion. There's one particular scene in the factory when the Tramp gets caught in the gears of a large machine, it's like a choreographed dance with the inner-workings of a great machine.
If you're new to Chaplin or have been a fan for years, Modern Times is an insightful and entertaining romp through an era of beginnings and endings, and what better tour guide than the lovable Tramp.
DVD/Blu-ray Features
Apart from a great transfer of this classic film, the DVD/Blu-ray release boasts a handful of extras, including an intro by David Robinson, the insightful 26 minute documentary with Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne titled Chaplin Today: Modern Times, deleted scenes, Modern Times karaoke, photo gallery, and trailer reel.… Expand
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10
nakuperchmitApr 23, 2012
No doubt, one of the best movies ever! Watch Charles Chaplin on his movies and the way he did comedy make people think how genius he was! People who like old movies and comedies will love Modern Times!
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10
WeaselboystJul 3, 2020
After years of watching modern movies, I found the opportunity to check out Charlie Chaplin's filmography. I used to think these movies were just fluff, focusing on comedy but not having any substance beyond that. I was mistaken and foundAfter years of watching modern movies, I found the opportunity to check out Charlie Chaplin's filmography. I used to think these movies were just fluff, focusing on comedy but not having any substance beyond that. I was mistaken and found that Chaplin can pull off a well-told story and blend it with seriously funny moments as it goes. There is a lot to appreciate in this movie and ponder upon. One of the interesting things I found interesting is that this might be Chaplin's only science fiction movie with its representation of certain technologies. If that's the case then it is up there in my list of sci-fi movies. If you are just getting into Charlie Chaplin, this is one of the best movies to start with but, really, every Chaplin movie is a great way to start Chaplin.… Expand
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10
naldosborgesOct 14, 2021
Um filme que consegue despertar reflexões e ser engraçado ao espectador. Não posso avaliar se serão reflexões profundas ou não, mas penso neste filme como um registro de como a sociedade sempre vai sofrer com a inadequação às mudanças que aUm filme que consegue despertar reflexões e ser engraçado ao espectador. Não posso avaliar se serão reflexões profundas ou não, mas penso neste filme como um registro de como a sociedade sempre vai sofrer com a inadequação às mudanças que a tecnologia traz.… Expand
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8
himherhollywoodApr 25, 2014
HIM:
If Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) and Chaplin’s City Lights (1931) got it on and had a baby, they would have to name it Modern Times. I'm no enemy of free enterprise (even though I'm about to sound like one), but if anything could turnHIM:
If Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) and Chaplin’s City Lights (1931) got it on and had a baby, they would have to name it Modern Times. I'm no enemy of free enterprise (even though I'm about to sound like one), but if anything could turn me into a flag-waving communist, it's this oldie but goodie. Chaplin’s indictment of industrialization, crony capitalism, and the exploitation of workers (symbolized not-so-subtly by a herd of sheep, one notable black one among them), Modern Times must have profoundly resonated with a Depression-era population desperate for work and often left to feel like mere cogs in the Great Industrial Machine - in the Tramp's case, literally.

As in Metropolis, business magnates look for cheaper and better ways to squeeze the most out of their workers. We also see a female freedom fighter working tirelessly to defend the socially-disadvantaged masses while struggling to put bread on her own table. This is a world in which there is no middle class, just a handful of Richie Riches and everyone else. (Sound familiar?) To be an "employee" is to barely subsist, which means you might just have to turn to a life of crime if you want to feed your family. Who cares if you go to jail, Chaplin concludes, at least that way you eat. The poor guy doesn’t want much, just a job that pays a decent wage and a home he won’t lose to the bank. Filthy socialist!

But there’s something else we should notice here. The fact that a man as well-off as Chaplin could tell a probing story about working class problems suggests that there was, once upon a time, an era when the wealthy registered enough concern about the rich-poor divide to talk honestly about it. A stark reminder that our experiment with democracy and social welfare over the past couple of centuries has been short-lived and that the rich and powerful will always find a way to build million-dollar condos atop the carcasses of the poor bastards who helped get them there.

Don't get me wrong, I love money. I just hope my humanity doesn't drown if I find myself swimming in it.

HER:
And he does it again! Chaplin had an undeniable knack for combining laughs, a well-constructed plot, and a great big heart in all of his films. Case in point: a midpoint scene in which a former co-worker robs the department store the Tramp is now guarding, claiming not to be a criminal and just needing to feed his family. It's a moment that has you chuckling one minute and fighting tears, the next. Classic Chappy!

The opening assembly line scene isn't just a classic, it's farkin' hilarious, as funny today as it was 80 years ago, showing that when it came to comedy, Chaplin just got it. I also love that he rather consistently steers away from reducing his female characters to props, choosing instead to give them strong, decisive and, dare I say, equal importance in his stories.

It was heartbreaking to learn of the opposition Chaplin faced during the second half of his career thanks to Senator Joseph McCarthy and all of his friends. But maybe the persecution he endured was part of what made him such a brilliant storyteller, who knows? Either way his films still resonate as some of the most creative, honest and authentically human of the twentieth century. Discovering great movies like Modern Times was exactly why we started this blog. Thank you, Charlie!

http://himherhollywood.blogspot.ca/2014/04/modern-times-1936.html… Expand
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9
tjman09Oct 1, 2015
Modern Times is a hilarious, and equally brilliant Formalist Film about the rise of technology in the world, and the american dream. Directed, written by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film boldly made statements that at the time wouldModern Times is a hilarious, and equally brilliant Formalist Film about the rise of technology in the world, and the american dream. Directed, written by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film boldly made statements that at the time would have been, very controversial, and remain relevant today. However, the film is at its most impressive when one considers the care, and shear brilliance that went into the making of this film.
It seems straightforward to call Modern Times a Formalist Film, the ideas take clear precedence, while the narrative is very character driven. To further that, it would seem the main purpose of this film is to make a statement, technology and the business like approach of filmmaking are ruining the art form, however it’s ingeniously hidden behind hilarious humor. The fact that the statement is so well hidden makes it all the more powerful when you realize what it is. For instance people who staunchly disagree with that opinion could laugh at, and enjoy this film without even knowing the film is making this statement.
The motifs are ones that don’t age poorly as some may. Chaplin chose such vague areas, that we can watch today and relate many arguments to modern day film issues. For instance the technology argument is still present today in the form of “Digital Filming v. Film Reels”, or “Computer Generated Images v. Practical Effects.”, etc., both modern arguments hold similar issues with the “Talkie v. Silent” argument of the 1930’s.
Chaplin consistently shows motifs such as the outcast being exiled for a more uniform approach (the black sheep imagery helps parallel this), the overly complicated, often dysfunctional way Chaplin sees technology , or his pessimism towards society, through a showing of eternal optimism. It’s similar to when a filmmaker makes you empathize with a character you’ve grown to hate. All of these motifs are subtly hidden under hilarious gags, so they don’t feel preachy, or heavy handed. This approach requires care, and talent, some of the best directors today can’t even send a message as subtly as Chaplin did.
Part of the reason Chaplin did so well hiding his views was his ability to, for the most part argue his point objectively. By that time colors were being used to influence audience opinions, red made audiences feel uncomfortable, while blue emphasized happiness, Chaplin avoided any colors. Not only did Chaplin avoid coloring his film, he showed the contrasting views, something most filmmakers wouldn’t do.
It’s the brilliant subtlety, and balance that makes Modern Times such a great piece of art. Chaplin carefully crafted a film with a message, but made his film enjoyable for all, which is a true accomplishment. It’s truly amazing to see a film that can send a message through the opposite viewpoint, and I can’t stress how truly brilliant it is.… Expand
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8
RobertBroganOct 3, 2015
Amusing and charming, Modern Times still entertains decades later. The set and prop design for the first act (the factory) are very good. The plot takes us through the many ups and downs (mostly downs) of the hero and heroine, and the wayAmusing and charming, Modern Times still entertains decades later. The set and prop design for the first act (the factory) are very good. The plot takes us through the many ups and downs (mostly downs) of the hero and heroine, and the way they handle it all is very endearing. The lead actress has great spirit and natural beauty. Modern Times isn't a must-see, but I would definitely recommend it.… Expand
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9
EpicLadySpongeApr 29, 2016
Modern Times is one of those classic times that will never come out of our heads. Children at our age back in those days can experience this too and this will forever continue on and on throughout life.
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9
RomanKirbyMar 5, 2016
This is more than a film; this is a piece of art!This is more than a film; this is a piece of art! .… Expand
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10
alejandro970Dec 7, 2019
Never before has a social critique made people think and laugh at same time. One of essential of Chaplin, that works as a corrosive critique to mechanization, capitalism and exploitation to the hand worker. Too many anthological moments thatNever before has a social critique made people think and laugh at same time. One of essential of Chaplin, that works as a corrosive critique to mechanization, capitalism and exploitation to the hand worker. Too many anthological moments that makes useless discuss which one is the better. Another of shall to see before you die.… Expand
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9
amheretojudgeOct 19, 2019
You can go ahead and paste his name at the top of the list. The list of the best filmmaker never needed any update.

Modern Times Charlie Chaplin is in his prime stage now. Now as in then when the film came out. And prime stage as in both,You can go ahead and paste his name at the top of the list. The list of the best filmmaker never needed any update.

Modern Times

Charlie Chaplin is in his prime stage now. Now as in then when the film came out. And prime stage as in both, his narrative skills and performance. Today we're not going to boast about the social and political satire and other changes that the film deals with. But the body language that takes place in this film. The importance of this universal language is something we all know and understand. And here it spews wonder like some winning rap in a rap battle does. And I don't mean the obvious visual galore that is captured by camera tricks to serve the humor and wow factor. But I am talking about just Charlie's control over his body.

He is insanely in command of his body. There is not a fumble, not a trip, not a wave that is accidental. Even when he is.. nay, especially when he is out of control, he is still dancing the dance of his life. And I say that for the images that he could not be in charge of. As in, he doesn't just do his stunts or whatever you may like to call it, only once but does it frequently, does it fast, does it smooth.

Except for that dive in the shallow water, he is giving meticulous set pieces that are emotionally motivated, continuously. Now, coming back to the theme of Modern Times. I don't want to use the term ahead of its time, but it is. And its maturity and philosophy is why it remains to be one of my favourite Charlie Chaplin adventures. The love story looks like an excuse, just as it should be. The sacrificial act isn't actually sacrificial. To me, it was a proposal. A proposal to be a friend. A good hard working friend.… Expand
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9
FilipeNetoMar 15, 2020
The swan song for silent cinema.

This is one of the most famous and remarkable films by Charlie Chaplin, where his famous character, the Vagabundo (who in Portugal became famous as "Charlô", derived from the actor's name) faces theThe swan song for silent cinema.

This is one of the most famous and remarkable films by Charlie Chaplin, where his famous character, the Vagabundo (who in Portugal became famous as "Charlô", derived from the actor's name) faces the difficulties of the American Depression and the rise of socialism and unionism. Later, moreover, Chaplin will be heavily attacked by the government on charges of being a communist sympathizer.

I liked the film, and its story full of hope and good humor, but also full of sharp criticisms of the labor system, unbridled capitalism and the lack of social support for those in need. Chaplin is excellent, but Paulette Goddard is not. In addition to looking old for the role, she doesn't fit well with Chaplin. But he easily overcomes that and completely dominates the film, to the point of overshadowing the actress and everything else with her antics and acrobatics.

Technically, the film is very well done and very elegant. It is probably one of the last classic silent films, since when it came out the spoken cinema was about ten years old and silent cinema was clearly doomed to disappear.… Expand
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8
ahmedaiman1999Apr 27, 2019
At first glance, Modern Times seems to be a mere Sketch comedy; but in fact, it has a surprisingly cohesive story that is as politically insightful as it's constantly intriguing. The sight gags and the slapstick sequences pale in comparisonAt first glance, Modern Times seems to be a mere Sketch comedy; but in fact, it has a surprisingly cohesive story that is as politically insightful as it's constantly intriguing. The sight gags and the slapstick sequences pale in comparison to those you find in most Chaplin's other films. though. They are quite repetitive and overlong.

The romance theme is simply amazing, due in large part to Paulette Goddard's charming and impressive performance.

(8/10)… Expand
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9
zNeverSleepingSep 19, 2019
Great movie from Charlie Chaplin!

A viagem no tempo cinéfila que o filme proporciona é incrível. Aspecto 4:3 [Antes da lente Anamórfica], créditos no inicio, preto e branco, fora a característica - talvez mais marcantes no filme do Chaplin:Great movie from Charlie Chaplin!

A viagem no tempo cinéfila que o filme proporciona é incrível. Aspecto 4:3 [Antes da lente Anamórfica], créditos no inicio, preto e branco, fora a característica - talvez mais marcantes no filme do Chaplin: o enredo.

O filme, em suma maioria, apenas conta com uma trilha sonora, que muitas vezes dita o ritmo do filme; emociona, te faz rir. Também conta com textos que nos ajudam a não se sentir perdidos, mesmo que o filme conte com uma expressão gestual.… Expand
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9
MahmusSep 25, 2020
Modern Times is a very sad story told in a very sweet and funny way.

Full of wonderful slapstick comedy and commentary that will never stop being relevant. The plot is less focused than with Chaplin's other movies, but there's a lot ofModern Times is a very sad story told in a very sweet and funny way.

Full of wonderful slapstick comedy and commentary that will never stop being relevant.

The plot is less focused than with Chaplin's other movies, but there's a lot of heart in it.

It also doesn't have (for me at least) any laugh-out-loud moments like the boxing scene from City Lights, which is probably the funniest thing Chaplin ever did, but instead it has a lot of moments that have me smiling through the movie, and that's just as great.

I love the relationship between the Tramp and the Girl. It's not romantic, it's just a really beautiful friendship and it's great.… Expand
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8
mahdimeshkateeMar 23, 2020
a political movie that shows us the different stages of a nation through the sad humor of the amazing charlie chaplin
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4
royalguy07Aug 9, 2023
Some small stuff worked but I found this a little harder to get into than some of Chaplin's other work. Setting is slightly different but the process is very set and familiar here. And I know that can be said about a lot of modern movies butSome small stuff worked but I found this a little harder to get into than some of Chaplin's other work. Setting is slightly different but the process is very set and familiar here. And I know that can be said about a lot of modern movies but its felt more in the silent era I think.… Expand
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