MovieChat Forums > Chaplin (1993) Discussion > Too much focus on personal life?

Too much focus on personal life?

posted 13 years ago by A_Fistful_of_Pennies
6 replies | jump to latest

I mean yes, his personal life is important and an interesting story to be sure, but this movie had so little to do with his work. Isn't that what he is remembered for, his work? I mean some people are remembered more for their personal lives, but if it wasn't for his work we wouldn't know about his personal life.

Obviously his preference for much younger women is a major point of interest, but this whole movie was basically about it. Kind of like how the recent film J. Edgar was all about Hoover's homosexuality. I mean yes it's important to touch on these things and I want to see this stuff included in the films but I mainly want to see Chaplin's art portrayed, Hoover's career portrayed, etc. What makes these people memorable and unique isn't their personal lives, it's their careers. Why not focus on what made them so famous a little more?

I did enjoy this film, especially for the outstanding performances. But it certainly could have been so much better.

[–] Strazdamonas 13 years ago

As charlie said: if you want to learn about me watch my movies.

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Applied Science? All science is applied. Eventually.

[–] mister_salty 13 years ago

His personal and professional lives are so intertwined you couldn't possibly tell one story without the other.

If you look at his films, the reason they are so enduring is because they were about so much more than just slapstick. They had heart and were deeply personal, much more so that most movies of that time. They were deeply influence by Chaplin's personal life and flaws, from growing up impoverished in 19th century England with no father and a mentally ill mother, to losing his first love, who he remembered as a 16-year-old, which influenced his choice of women later on. And all of that, including his left leaning politics, is what made him a target for being kicked out of the country for the lat 30 years of his life, effectively ending his career.

[–] stevenackerman69 12 years ago

I feel the same way. Yes, he had a bizarre personal life, but who doesn't? I wanted to see more of what made him great. Funny thing is that Chaplin himself was not interested in discussing how he made his films. If he were here today, he would not do a DVD track with himself talking about his films.

[–] sage2112 9 years ago

lol I like that. "This biopic was too focused on the person." hahaha

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

I like a biopic that focuses on the person!

It's that man again!!

[–] My_Heart_Will_Go_On 9 years ago

Well it was supposed to be about his life, it is based on his autobiography. That's why at the very beginning, we see him take off his makeup to reveal the real Chaplin. I personally think a lot of his work was shown.