Robert Downey, Jr. brings so much talent, heart and physical genius to his portrayal of legendary actor/director Charlie Chaplin that it's almost unbelievable. No, allow me to correct myself. Downey's portrayal is 100% believable. Downey inhabits the person of Chaplin. Or maybe Chaplin's spirit is possessing Downey. Either way, it works. Although director Richard Attenborough had considered using Robin Williams or Jim Carrey for the role, he couldn't have made a better choice than Downey.
The film is based on Chaplin's autobiography, although some critics have complained that many details and depictions are not quite accurate. I don't know enough about Charlie Chaplin's life to judge, but I don't think it matters. What this film gives us is a combination of reality and myth that connects us to the magic and mystery of the motion picture itself. Fantasy and reality intermingle and become one. But real life can never compete with the fantasy presented on the big screen. Chaplin the genius understood this. Maybe that's why he was so driven, so dedicated to creating perfect fantasies with his films.
My personal experience of Chaplin's work is somewhat limited. I've seen THE KID, THE GOLD RUSH, CITY LIGHTS, MODERN TIMES, THE GREAT DICTATOR, LIMELIGHT and MONSIEUR VERDOUX. After seeing this biopic I want to see as many of his films and short subjects as I can find. And I want to explore the work of Robert Downey, Jr. as well.
So many legendary Hollywood figures played important parts in Charlie Chaplin's life, names such as Mack Sennett, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Mabel Normand and Paulette Goddard. These, and many other historical figures, including even J. Edgar Hoover, are portrayed in this movie. There are good performances from many prominent actors: Dan Akroyd, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Kline, Diane Lane, Penelope Ann Miller, Marisa Tomei, James Woods, etc. But the greatest supporting performance, and the most inspired bit of casting, is Charlie's own daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, who plays his mother, a woman who struggled with mental illness throughout her life. Miss Chaplin's acting is powerful and heartbreaking.
This movie is 135 minutes long, but was so fascinating and involving that it seemed to be over much too soon. Total joy from beginning to end.
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