This past week, I've been on a Charlie Chaplin kick. I watched "Great Dictator"(which is marvelous) and "Modern Times"(Also a classic). This morning, I watched "Limelight". I knew that it was not going to be a ha ha laugh riot all the way through, but I found myself chuckling several times in the movie. This movie has an excellent storyline about an aging performer who knows he is not marketable anymore but wants one more chance to shine. He meets a ballet dancer, played wonderfully by Claire Bloom, who almost commits suicide before beings rescued by Chaplin's Calvero character. Throughout the 2 1/2 hours, they teach other to fight their demons and do what they love doing. This movie was so moving to me. I ended up crying the majority of the movie. This shows that Chaplin is a genius. You can watch his movies and laugh, cry, think. But at the same time, it's just genius work. Sadly, this was Chaplin's last film success in America. What a shame. Great talent. The Chaplin/Keaton sequence is the highlight of the whole movie. 2 great comedy geniuses working for one time only. Perfect. 10 out of 10. Go see "Limelight" and see for yourself.
Review of Limelight
