One reason I looked forward to watching this was that I wanted to see Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin together on screen. I know this sounds shallow, but, it just didn't have the effect I was looking for with them being old.
shareThe whole movie was about that very thing, my friend.
shareI agree that physical comedy doesn't work as well with older performers. Laurel and Hady in the 50's for example. Or the 60's and 70's Honeymooners vs. the original ones from back in the 50's.
But I think another problem is that all the stage sequences are performed in a studio in silence. The acts should have been done before an audience to get an audible reaction from them as a cue to how the audience watching the film should react.
The past is a series of presents. The present is living history we are privileged to witness
There is audience response on the sound track until Chaplin and Keaton perform. The audience response for that great scene was intended to come from a live audience in the theatre. Ten years after this film was originally released I had the opportunity to see it at a matinee in a packed theatre in Paris. Believe me you the audience provided the laughter. When we watch comedies on a TV at home we miss the magic of a live audience responding -- and that is the way the films of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd were intended to be experienced.
shareAside of this being shown, on purpose, I considered Chaplin as embarrassing in that scene, while I had to laugh at Keaton's perfectly played fight with the notes.
I feel like BECAUSE they were old, it worked even more! It makes it even more heartfelt and beautiful
shareIt's the best scene in the entire film! What a joy to see them on-screen together.
He is not coming back. He has forgotten me.
You are one of the audience member in this movie, then.
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