MovieChat Forums > The Circus (1928) Discussion > Am I completely nuts??

Am I completely nuts??

posted 18 years ago by smiles4891
11 replies | jump to latest

I just saw the Circus yesterday and I have to say that it is my favorite of Chaplin's feature length silent films. I thought it was, in fact, more human than his allegedly most human film - City Lights. Aside from entertaining me more than any others of his films, with lots of originality and creativity in the jokes, I really liked the way he instinctively chases off the girl when she is eating his food, then takes a few moments to soften, and the ending is my favorite of any of his movies.

There's a building of his character, first being less than affable towards her, then developing a protectiveness and romantic feelings for her, then being jealous and trying to fight for her against the tightrope walker, and then finally just wishing her happiness even if not with him. His relationship with the girl in this movie is perfect in my mind - because it is marked by poignant highs and heartbreaking lows, like any REAL relationship, vs. City lights or Modern Times, where we are almost completely shown nothing but sunshine and rainbows between the couples. I am not attempting to detract from the other films, as there is not one Chaplin film I feel anything short of love toward, but I was pleasantly surprised by this film and wondered why it is not one of his more popular ones.

So, am I completely nuts?

[–] mascisman 17 years ago

No, you're not. Great setting, tight story, extremely funny sequences (the monkey's tail in his mouth), brilliantly evocative final shot. My favourite Chaplin feature as well. But highbrow opinion seems to prefer Modern times or City lights or Limelight... Beats me.

[–] Funebrae 17 years ago

My favourite Chaplin feature as well. I have nothing to add!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] classicmoviecomedy 17 years ago

I'm glad to see the championing of THE CIRCUS's reputation. It's a difficult film in many ways. It isn't as immediately and noticably brilliant as MODERN TIMES, and does not have the built-in "classic" status of either THE GOLD RUSH and CITY LIGHTS. In some ways it is a problematic film for viewers, especially devout Chaplin fans, because the ideas of how comedy is constructed that he explores in the film seem to run counter to his own experience. In the film, Chaplin seems to tell us that comedy is accidental, birthed of an inherent joyousness that is exuded through the comedian in times of great happiness, or, somewhat contradictorally, through moments of genuine panic. This is contradicted by Chaplin's extremely methodic working habits, which suggests that good comedy is anything but a "happy accident". When ones look at the turmoil in his own life during the making of the film, it re-enforces the idea that the comedian can still be funny even when suffering a personal tragedy (and Chaplin's real-life tragedy at the time makes the conflict between the tramp and the bareback rider seem like small potatoes in comparison).

It is, without a doubt, Chaplin's most introspective film. Surrounding his character in the artificial, showbusiness world of the circus, he is also exploring the clown's relationship with the entertainment business. The fact that Rex is immediately granted certain privileges by virtue of being a "serious" artist (a tightrope walker), Chaplin is perhaps even drawing parallels to how the comedy is automatically assumed to be "easy".

Federico Fellini named this as his favorite film of all time, and its influence on his work is fairly easy to see, especially in his 1963 masterpiece "8 1/2", which explores a film director's relationship with his environment, friends, lovers, etc. and offers its own carnival-like imagery.

What I do feel THE CIRCUS provides that is missing from Chaplin's other films is a real sense of the artist. The film emphasizes "gags" in a way that Chaplin's other films do not. Our attention is drawn to routines such as the William Tell act, and the Barber Shop act. These marvelously funny scenes are also very indicative of Chaplin's attitude towards easy humor. While the established circus clowns play the routines "straight", repeating the motions that have been performed a thousand times before, Chaplin inserts memorable bits, such as finding the worm in the apple, that perfectly sum up what makes his comedy unique.

____
View my films at: www.youtube.com/comedyfilm

[–] jtyroler 13 years ago

I think a reason Modern Times is so highly regarded is the gadgetry. City Lights and Limelight are meant to pull at your heartstrings and don't have as much comedy. The Circus seems to go more for the laughs, plus keeping a heart touching story of The Tramp falling in love with the girl, who then fell in love with the tight rope walker, who disappeared for some unknown reason, then she falls in love with The Tramp and wants to run away from the circus.

[–] Beau_Buffet 8 years ago

City Lights and Limelight are meant to pull at your heartstrings and don't have as much comedy.

You are right about Limelight but I think you are mistaken about City Lights: it's got absolutely hilarious scenes. Think about the scenes with the drunken millionaire and the boxing sequence, amongst others.

[–] mtehrani7 13 years ago

i was thinking the same thing. i just watched it, and naturally came on imdb to see how it's rated, and i'm really surprised it's below and 8, and below the kid, which i didn't think was that great. this and city lights are my two favorites for sure.

[–] Vagabear 12 years ago

You're not nuts. The reason that THE CIRCUS is not as well known as THE KID, THE GOLD RUSH, CITY LIGHTS or MODERN TIMES is due to the fact that despite the fact that it was well received, made money - and won Chaplin a special Oscar for having created it - Chaplin ignored it and kept it out of circulation after it's initial 1928 release (until 1969) - all the while re-issuing the other films over the years. This was due to his own personal negative associations of what was going on in his life while making THE CIRCUS - an acrimonious and public divorce, being hassled by the IRS for back taxes, numerous on set disasters - nearly lead to him abandoning the picture and having a nervous breakdown. It really is amazing that the film was completed and even more miraculous that it is such a perfect and flowing film. However - if you look closely, you'll see that some scenes reveal how gaunt he became while shooting the picture.

[–] timlin-4 11 years ago

Yeah, I was expecting something pretty lame, but then was like "Hello, masterpiece"

[–] d.doherty 10 years ago

I think THE CIRCUS is a perfect film, in a way that THE GOLD RUSH, CITY LIGHTS. and MODERN TIMES are not. A perfect blend of comedy and pathos.

And you get Charlie singing the theme song! He's hammy as all get out: he rolls his "R"s, puts a well timed catch in his voice, is absolutely bombastic on the final line, but it moves one, and makes one eager to see the film.

"Do you indulge in any form of worship?"

[–] rmontro 10 years ago

I agree with the OP except that I don't think the relationship in City Lights is all sunshine and light considering the ambiguous, and very poignant, ending.