Masterpieces Classics: Modern Times (1936)

Note: This is for a film essay project for www.collectivemovielove.blogspot.com


Modern Times: A film for the 99%.
By Sean Wu.

In an episode of the popular American TV show, The Office, secretary Pam Beasley dresses up like the Little Tramp for Halloween. She makes a reference saying she can’t take off the iconic bowler cap, for she would look like Hitler. Watching that clip, I was curious if American audiences would understand her dress-up. I think they would.

The Little Tramp is debatably the greatest characters to grace the screen, surpassing the likes of Indiana Jones, and Hannibal Lecter. What defines this character, in my opinion, is not the hat, moustache, or the cane. It’s the smile, which is always shown. In all of the films that feature The Little Tramp, I do not recall a tear shed.

The Artist (2011), 4/4 Stars

I love Charlie Chaplin films. Modern Times? One of the best of all time! The thing about Modern Times is that it's not a complete silent film- there's some sound. That's the same situation with Michel Hazanavicus' The Artist.

The Artist tells of George Valentin, a popular silent film star. One fan of his, Peppy Miller, accidentally becomes a big star when meeting him. Soon, Miller surpasses Valentin when she joins the sound wave.

Soon, Valentin hits a low. His butler is fired, and his wife dumps him and his stuff. Not only that, his wife tells him to see the movie Beauty Spot, the movie throwing Peppy into fame.