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Robert Downey Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Geraldine Chaplin, Kevin Dunn, Anthony Hopkins ... see more see more... , Moira Kelly , Milla Jovovich , Kevin Kline , Diane Lane , Penelope Ann Miller , Paul Rhys , John Thaw , Marisa Tomei , Nancy Travis , James Woods , Michael Blevins , Francesca Buller , Peter Crook , David Duchovny , Donnie Kehr , Karen Lewis , Deborah Moore , Sean O'Bryan , Bill Paterson , Maria Pitillo , Gerald Sim , John Standing , Robert Stephens , Norbert Weisser , Robert Michael Adler , Iris Bath , Andre Bernard , Una Brandon-Jones , Phil Brown , Michael Cade , Alan Charof , Joy Claussen , Nicky Corello , Dana Craig , Nick Edmett , Donald Elson , David Finch , Vicki Frederick , David Gant , Michael A. Goorjian , Caroline Guthrie , Charles Howerton , William Hunt , Jerry Jenson , Jayson Kane , Howard Lew Lewis , Brian Lipson , Jason Logan , Mark Long , Raymond Lynch , Ken Magee , Heather McNair , P.H. Moriarty , John Otrin , Bradley Pierce , Stuart Richman , Jack Ritschel , Malcolm Terris , Ralph Votrian , Richard James , Tom Wright , Laura Bastianelli , Todd Mason Covert , Mary Healey , Emma Lewis , J. Michael Patterson , Tom Preston , Renata Scott , Dennis Vero , Annie Waterman , Valorie Massalas , Susie Figgis , Mike Fenton , Caroline Cornell , Ann Fairlie , Alan Ford , Peter Georges , Paul Hayes , Bryan Coleman , Michael Miller , Robert Peters

Partly based on Charlie Chaplin's My Autobiography, this humorous and dramatic biopic features an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Kline, Di... read more read more...ane Lane, and Chaplin's real-life daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, who portrays his mentally ill mother. With the use of flashback, an elderly Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor (Hopkins), who urges him to be more vulnerable and emotionally honest with his memoirs while journeying through his poverty-stricken childhood, closest friendships, many marriages, merciless pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), and ingenious invention of "The Little Tramp." Highlighted works such as The Gold Rush (1925) and The Great Dictator (1940) illustrate significant turning points in Chaplin's prolific filmography. Director Richard Attenborough's film also explores the circumstances surrounding Chaplin's exile from America and his eventual return to receive an honorary Academy Award. ~ Lisa Kropiewnicki, Rovi

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80% liked it

23,658 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

45 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Richard Attenborough

Release Date: December 18, 1992

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DVD Release Date: July 25, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (1,360)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 19, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Robert Downey jr. brings Charlie Chaplin to life in this near flawless biopic, Chaplin. Chaplin tells the story of the first Hollywood icon, Charlie Chaplin. Robert Downey jr. delivers as the famed actor. He gives a stunning, perfect performance of this icon of cinema. Chaplin is... read more one of the best biopics I've seen in quite some time. There is a good mix of humor and drama in this story. The film recounts some of the greatest moments in Charlie Chaplin's life, such as his debut in silent films, the release of his legendary The Great Dictator and his welcomed return to Hollywood. Chaplin is a well crafted biopic that has superb performances. I thought that this was a terrific film, and I don't understand why the film has gotten so much criticism. I felt like this was a great film that really captured the essence of this troubled genius. This film is another example as to why film critics are wrong. Downey Jr's performance was flawless and he really delivered something special on-screen. You looked at him, and you saw Charlie Chaplin. If you're looking for a terrific biopic, Chaplin is the one. I've seen many films based on the lives of famous people, and Chaplin is one of the better biopics around. This is a brilliant film that really delivers something great for the viewer. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and I'm sure every die-hard Charlie Chaplin fan will enjoy Robert Downey jr.'s performance as the Little Tramp. A wonderful picture.
  • phubbs1
    September 3, 2011
    phubbs1
    Not a huge success upon release and I'm not really sure why as this lavish epic is thoroughly interesting, charming and well made.

    Taken a from a point of narration by Chaplin during an interview with a fictional character played by Hopkins the film simply takes you through Chap... read morelin's life from one event to another although with many gaps. I'm not completely up with the life of Charlie but I have read that the film does take artistic license with the truth and of course skips allot of history. This really can't be faulted as my personal view from someone who knows very little about his life is 'does that matter?'

    The film shows much of his upbringing from the dirty streets of Victorian London to his first jobs in the US, his breaking through into the business, becoming rich and world famous and his problems upon returning to the UK after the the first World War. Most of his big films are also covered in the bio and show just how much swing he had during his reign, the issue he had with controversial ideas and how his close friendships with top stars of the time like Doug Fairbanks helped him.

    The film looks excellent in every sense and every scene but clearly the main attraction is Downey Jr and his portrayal of Chaplin. Not only does he genuinely look like Charlie but he manages to mimic the moves, walk, facial expressions and even the comedic slapstick Charlie amazed us with in his movies. To watch Downey making the classic films within the main film you would actually think Chaplin was still alive today starring in his own bio, amazing work to get it right.

    Other cast members all add to the superb film both in their looks and portrayals, an amazing line up of known stars from both the US and the UK ranging from Dan Aykroyd to Diane Lane to John Thaw to Milla Jovovich. Kevin Kline is probably one of the better casting choices as he really does seem to belong in that kind of era, born at the wrong time methinks hehe and his lovely showcase as Fairbanks shows this.

    As with any film of this nature some sequences are maybe over the top and heavy handed to create that teary eyed emotion but I guess that is to be expected and required to a degree. Never the less a worthy film from Attenborough that has been forgotten and easily sits in the top twenty of all time bio pics.
  • JonathanHutchings
    April 27, 2011
    JonathanHutchings
    As a huge admirer of Charlie Chaplin, I had high hopes in finally seeing Richard Attenborough's controversial biopic about the comedic legend. The film definitely tries to cover as much ground as it can (It begins when Charlie is 5 in a London music hall and plows through the res... read moret of his life, ending shortly before his death in Vevey, Switzerland, on Christmas Day 1977, at the age of 88) but in doing so abandons depth and development -- so much so that the film inevitably feels like a bunch of glossy broad strokes. Though slow of pace, it is so hurried that the best it can do to cover the material is to identify significant characters and eras and keep moving. That being said, Chaplin does feature two great surprises:

    The first is Robert Downey Jr. He is good and persuasive as the adult Charlie when the material allows, and close to brilliant when he does some of Charlie's early vaudeville and film sketches. His slapstick routines are graceful, witty and, most important, funny. The other surprise is Geraldine Chaplin, Chaplin's eldest child by his last wife, Oona O'Neill. She's splendid playing her own grandmother, Hannah Chaplin, whose slide into madness provides the movie with its only emotional weight.

    The film plays rather like the autobiography: windy, courtly, full of names and dates but never terribly revealing about either the film maker's life or his art. Sadly, if you're like me, and are pretty familiar with his life and work, you won't learn anything new or gain any new insight here. In view of the fact that the autobiography was harshly criticized for its superficiality, the narrative device employed by the screenplay is so idiotic as to seem self-destructive. The conceit used to introduce the film's flashbacks is to have the aging Charlie, while working on the book in Vevey, discussing the manuscript with his editor, a fictional character named George Hayden (Anthony Hopkins). It's as if George had already had a peek at the book's reviews. He's likely to say something like: "Charlie, you haven't told us much about your father. Why is that?" To which Charlie might say, "I didn't like him." End of topic. Or, "Tell me, Charlie, when did you actually start work on 'The Great Dictator'?," which serves to introduce a quick clip that demonstrates not much of anything. It's merely a reminder of what the audience is missing.

    At one point in the film, Downey says, "If you want to learn about me, watch my movies." Sadly, I'd probably give the same advice to anyone who was interested in watching this film. You'll learn more about him through watching his illustrious canon than you will watching this biopic -- and that, unfortunately, is an opportunity missed.
  • ythelastman89
    February 22, 2011
    ythelastman89
    If only the film-making behind Chaplin was as good as its performances, it would be a flawless masterpiece. As it stands, this is looks like a BBC original movie that had a truly weak budget. Thankfully, Robert Downey Jr. gives a tour de force that almost forgives any faults. He ... read moreout-Chaplins Charlie Chaplin, which sounds crazy, but it's true. The story really is well put together and isn't like most biopics. The fact that it's self reflective within the movie is really great. You truly get to see what Charlie Chaplin thought about himself and everyone else and how he wanted his story to be told.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    A long winded account of Chaplin's life, that keeps everything in check, and Downey in the winning circle.
  • Godless
    July 23, 2010
    Godless
    With the help of Victor Von Doom's time machine Tony Stark goes back to 1993 and stars in a good biopic of Charlie Chaplin.
  • allan913
    January 9, 2010
    allan913
    Robert Downey Jr. is absolutely unforgettable, a classic performance capturing the essence and creative genius of one of the most popular pop icons of the twentieth century. Kevin Kline is brilliant. A creative, charming, dazzling and incredible masterpiece of a film by Director,... read more Sir Richard Attenborough. It's truly moving, passionate, wonderfully funny and riveting. This is how a biographical film should be. A pleasant, wonderful and magnificent gem. It's extraordinary, utterly excellent and breathtaking. One of the greatest films ever made.
  • MissMorganLeee
    January 6, 2010
    MissMorganLeee
    If you enjoyed Amadeus, I highly recommend this movie to you. It is along the same lines of telling a beautifly cafted story of a tourchered artist. Classic movies have always held a great part of my heart and I love to watch the recreation and the story behind so many of the gre... read moreat artist.
    Robert Downey Jr. is spectacular in the title role. Completely believable and hilarious. He aslo brings out Chaplins great emotions. This star studded castw was great together and as i said before, if you enjoy Amadeus, you will deffinetly love this movie.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    A brilliant biography. Attenborough & Downey Jr bring Chaplin to life in this brutally honest adaption of his own autobiography. I particularly like Kline's Douglas Fairbanks in a supporting role.
  • arashxak
    April 2, 2009
    arashxak
    Weak & uninteresting

View All Chaplin Reviews

Critic Reviews

Duane Byrge
February 27, 2008
Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter

With this reverential biopic, director Richard Attenborough has cranked out a many-reel, talky talkie.

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 27, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

A lot of loving care (but not much thought) went into this white elephant, and considering how fascinating a figure Chaplin is it's never exactly boring, but your time would be much better spent looki... Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

It's slick packaging around what is mostly warm air. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The thrill of the ending, with real Chaplin film clips, only exposes the rest as a soporific.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The movie indulges in a rather stale flashback procedure. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It's easy to pick out the single major flaw of Chaplin. The narrative is too ambitious. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

It's a monumental biopic that cheapens the hero's successes by glossing over the failures that surely also shaped the man. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is a disappointing, misguided movie that has all of the parts in place to be a much better one. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 16, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Robert Downey Jr. gives a strong, Oscar-nominated performance, but Attenborough's disappointingly formulaic biopic barely captures the genius of Chaplin the artist and the complexity of his life Full Review

Christopher Null
December 4, 2008
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

It's a loving and often endearing homage to a man, but as with all things Hollywood, it ain't history Full Review

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Facts

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    • Charlie Chaplin: The tramp can't talk. The minute he talks, he's dead.
    • Charlie Chaplin: If you want to understand me, watch my movies.
    • Charlie Chaplin: As you've already said, Mr. Hoover, movies are for the people. Most people work for a living and don't make very much. It pleases them to see officials and the upper class kicked on the backside.
    • Sydney Chaplin: You don't have to be great. Just shut up and be funny.
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Chaplin Trivia

  • Adolf Hitler banned this Charlie Chaplin film in Germany and all countries occupied by the nazis. However, Hitler did view the movie twice. Upon hearing this, Chaplin said, "I'd give anything to know what he thought of it." Which movie was it?  Answer »
  • The 1952 movie Limelight features two legends from the silent film era together on screen for the first and only time. Which two actors were they?  Answer »
  • True or false: Charlie Chaplin once came third place in a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest?  Answer »
  • In the 1992 movie "Chaplin", Geraldine Chaplin played the late silent-movie legend's mother. In real life, how is she related to Charlie Chaplin?  Answer »
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