What has this movie to do with capitalism ? And why was this unsuccessful in america during the time of the release ?
Yes, I do understand that the ladies he marry in this movie all are either self-centered, rich and spoiled in character. But that has more to do with the culture of america and less to do with capitalism.
[deleted]
Yes steve I know that. I understand thats one of the reason why the movie didn't do that good at the time of the release.
But still people say this movie has something to do with capitalism.
This is what is written in the wikipedia about the plot of the movie. The film's premise is that "murder is the logical extension of capitalism". The lead character kills to make money, hence he is not (in his eyes) a murderer.
I mean seriously do you really think chaplin was thinking that way ? How many people could've seen it that way ?
[deleted]
The criticism of capitalism is very explicit. Ms. Verdoux loses his job in a bank because of "the great crisis" (1920's). He thinks capitalism is brutal and inhuman. Something snaps in his psyche and he begins to perform individually what he believes "the system" is doing mercilessly to the masses of workers and employees.
shareHe justified his methods by saying that the authorities were doing the same thing.
share[deleted]
You are right Ulzana. Thanx
share[deleted]
[deleted]
The fact that you asked the question shows how absurd Chaplin's linkage was. Most normal people don't think killing wives for their money as "Business". Chaplin blah, blahed about "capitalism" to justify a bad movie. It was "unsuccessful" because the comedy really isn't funny - except when Raye is around - and its not a particularly compelling drama or character study.
That lots of lefties SAY its a great movie means nothing.
Did you miss the part at the end when the derelict Verdoux helped explains that she married a munitions maker and that the business "will pay big dividends soon"? Verdoux killed a dozen or so, but her husband's bombs will kill thousands. Both are in it for the money.
share"Everyone has a mortgage to pay."
Madi
I'm not sure, but I think Verdoux thinks he is "simply" turning a metaphor about business ("cutthroat competition") into a reality and also perhaps taking back what was illicitly or even murderously acquired in the first place. (Capitalism needs additional markets in order to grow and historically, new markets were often found at the end of a gun).
shareThe fact that you asked the question shows how absurd Chaplin's linkage was. Most normal people don't think killing wives for their money as "Business". Chaplin blah, blahed about "capitalism" to justify a bad movie.
The dog-eat-dog of the business world is critiqued throughout and it skewers the hypocrisy of becoming wealthy based on mass-murder being tolerated but a small sum gained for several murders is a crime.
share