Modern Times

Modern Times is an incredibly well done film.  Although it is silent, silly, and old fashioned, I believe that it might have a more meaningful and intricate plot than many modern films.  I laughed through the entire movie and first thought that it was just a light hearted and humorous movie to make its audience giggle.  However, upon further observation, I found that it contained many themes and messages that were directed toward its audience at the time.

It is obvious from the film, as well as the era it was made in, that Modern Times was made, in part, to lighten people's attitudes toward their troubles in the Great Depression.  The movie did this by giving them hope and something to identify with and to laugh at to ensure that their problems would soon fade away.  By laughing at their current situations, victims of the Great Depression released some tension from their lives and envisioned that there would come a day when they would look back and find humor in their tribulation.

Charlie Chaplain plays the main character in the film, a happy, kind, and clumsy gentleman.  The first scene in the movie is hilarious as the main character falls into misfortune because of a nervous breakdown after trying to tighten everyone’s screws.  His performance forces the audience to fall in love with this quirky and likable man.  Then Chaplain continues and shows the audience the character of the hero that he wants them to focus on and follow his example.  The main character constantly puts others before himself by taking the blame for a girl who stole bread, giving her a comfy bed to sleep in and a few hungry men food at a department store and in turn risking his job.  I believe Chaplain’s main message for his audience was that they should help each other in their time of great need so that they do not make things worse for others or for themselves.