“Modern Times” the Movie by Charlie Chaplin

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Genre Analysis
Rationale
Examples
Application
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

When seeking a movie that is emblematic of comedy as a genre, one would inevitably mention a film directed by Chaplin, the Modern Times released in 1936 being the most common example. Modern Times was released and distributed by the United Artists Corporation, Chaplin being the main star of the film and impersonating an employee working at an assembly line (“Modern Times” par. 1). Although the film did not belong to any particular movement, it set the standard for slapstick comedy and, therefore, should be seen as a crucial art piece.

The plot of Modern Times is surprisingly complex for a comedy. The presence of numerous details and themes elevates the genre and the film to a new level, thus wetting the standards that other movies would try to achieve and supersede in the future. Modern Times starts with the lead character being employed as an assembly line worker. The lead character quickly loses track of his responsibilities and introduces confusion and havoc to his workplace (“Modern Times 1936”).

After being imprisoned and then placed in a hospital, he asks to be put in jail again, but with little success. Soon he comes across a little orphan, Ellen, who stole a loaf of bread. The Little Tramp assumes the responsibility for the theft, but a casual witness prevents him from doing so. Afterward, he rescues Ellen from imprisonment and is hired at a department store, where he meets three burglars (“Modern Times – Overview” par. 2).

They face numerous challenges as they try to find jobs and escape the police. After a moment of hesitating whether their efforts are worth anything, the Little Tramp and Ellen decide to start their lives anew, which their walk down the road at dawn symbolizes (Modern Times). Being a comedy and one of the pioneers of the genre, Modern Times might be seen merely as a combination of physical humor and an absurd premise, yet it also reflects socioeconomic anxieties of the time, thus becoming extraordinarily relatable to its viewers.

Genre Analysis

The tendency to see “Modern Times” as a staple of the comedy is a rather telling, albeit somewhat subjective, justification for defining the genre of the movie. On the one hand, Modern Times meets the criteria of both Bergson’s and Freud’s definition by representing “something formal under attack by something informal” (Bishop 23). Indeed, in “Modern Times,” Little Tramp challenges the status quo by bringing chaos to the factory, which, on a superficial level, can be viewed as the main source of comedy.

On the other hand, the underlying anxiety about the industrial revolution and its possible effects on economic and social issues, such as employment and dependency on automated technology, also becomes the emotional core of the movie (Fawell 21). Thus, “Modern Times” not only establishes the idea of comedy but also expands it, implying that it should not be restricted by its own rules. As a result, the dramatic nature of “Modern Times” also becomes apparent to viewers.

The presence of profound social, economic, and philosophical contemplations in the movie raises the question of whether Modern Times qualifies as a silent comedy or whether it should be seen as an example of silent drama. However, since the film has already been defined as comedic by the sources that have unquestionably high authority, one may instead posit where the boundary between comedy and drama lies. Indeed, the frames of comedy as a genre have been expanding over the decades of its evolution, incorporating new elements and ideas. For instance, Gies and Wall argue that comedy should have “socioeconomic valence” that challenges the audience and encourages social progress (6). Therefore, the genre of silent comedy, to which the movie belongs, is characterized by high levels of complexity.

Rationale

The movie incorporates a range of techniques that allow it to stand out from the rest of the comedies. Specifically, one needs to mention the use of lighting and music as the elements that contribute to the creation of a humorous scenario. Similarly, the editing in the movie is quite impressive. The timing is perfect, with each punch line being delivered exactly at the moment when it is needed. As a result, Modern Times makes very efficient use of visual humor.

Examples

Modern Times warrants the title of a comedy primarily for the innovative use of physical humor and the creation of scenarios that are deemed as absurd to a viewer. For instance, the very idea that a factory worker would start a fight with a machine, let alone a rampage at the workplace, is unbelievable enough to make audiences laugh. The mise-en-scène involving the lead character’s outburst of anger at the factory is particularly worthy of attention as an example of stellar comedy.

In the specified scene, the comedic timing, the frontal space, and wide-key lighting also help juxtapose the well-functioning mechanism of the factory with the extraordinary behavior of the character. These components allow taking the level of absurdity in the movie to the maximum (Austerlitz 13). Arguably, these elements help make the scene both comedic and tragic due to the social context that it conveys.

The movie should also be credited for the excellent performance of every actor. The lead character steals the entire film whenever he appears on the screen. However, the rest of the cast also creates the required impression. Thus, they allow the audience to experience the movie fully. As the viewers see the exchange between Little Tramp and the burglar, they notice a combination of genuineness and absurdity of the situation (Flom 103). As a result, the scene makes viewers laugh due to the comic effect. Thus, with a cadence of perfectly natural and just as surreal scenes, Modern Times provides a unique experience. The actors perform masterfully, representing their characters naturally. Their every move elicits an emotional response from viewers.

Nonetheless, Modern Times does not fully meet the criteria for silent comedy by extending it and pushing the envelope regarding themes, and introducing a profound social commentary on the technological progress and its effects. While the specified aspect of the movie’s characteristics cannot technically be seen as a flaw, it does not allow viewing Modern Times solely as a comedic film intended to make the audiences laugh.

Therefore, Modern Times needs to be recognized as the film that challenged the audience’s perception of comedy. Little Tramp elevated the idea of comedy to the point where it elicited mixed emotions and made the lead character not only funny but also sympathetic and identifiable. As a result, the main character became relatable enough for the viewer to sympathize with his cause, which is ultimately the plight of the labor force to retain their employment. At the same time, Modern Times stayed amusing enough to be comedic.

Application

Little Tramp is one of those movies every scene in which could be framed as a masterful picture. However, the scene that cements the key idea of the movie occurs at the very end. As Little Tramp and Ellen stand up, take each other by the hand, and start a new journey, the key philosophical theme of the film is revealed.

Conclusion

Little Tramp was one of the pioneers of comedy as a genre. It introduced its audience to the concept of silent comedy, combining social commentaries with visual and physical humor. Furthermore, the movie featured very compelling characters to whom audiences could relate. As a result, Little Tramp entered the pantheon of world-renowned movies that changed the landscape of cinema. Challenging and thought-provoking, the movie questioned the social issues of the time. Nevertheless, ti remains relatable due to its timeless characters and unforgettable humor.

Works Cited

Austerlitz, Saul. Another Fine Mess: A History of American Film Comedy. Cappella Books, 2011.

Bishop, Ryan. Comedy and Cultural Critique in American Film. Edinburgh University Press, 2014.

Gies, David T., and Cynthia Wall. The Eighteenth Centuries: Global Networks of Enlightenment. University of Virginia Press, 2018.

Fawell, John. The Essence of Chaplin: The Style, the Rhythm and the Grace of a Master. McFarland, 2014.

Flom, Eric. Chaplin in the Sound Era: An Analysis of the Seven Talkies. McFarland, 2015.

“Modern Times.” Catalog.AFI.com, n.d. Web.

Modern Times. Directed by Charlie Chaplin, performances by Charlei Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, and Henry Bergman, United Artists, 1936.

“Modern Times 1936.” IMBD.com, n.d. Web.

“Modern Times – Overview.” TCM.com. 2018.

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