Analysis - City Lights - Movie Review Example

?Movie Analysis: Lights (1931) QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FOR FILM REPORTS What is the film about and does it have a theme? If so, where do we firstsense that theme developing? What methods are employed to emphasize this theme? City Lights, which was shoot in 1931, is a silent, romantic comedy film that starred Charlie Chaplin who also wrote and directed the story. The film is about the journey (and misfortunes) of a famous Chaplin character Tramp, from accidentally knowing and befriending a millionaire to falling in love with a blind girl who he saw was selling flowers in a street corner. The comical personality of Tramp is shown in the film during his misadventures, which also featured Chaplin’s usual displays of slapsticks, pantomime, coordinated bodily movements, among other amusing acts. Its theme revolves around an unconventional form of love, in which the other person involved does not see his mysterious admirer. At first, the audience cannot see romance as a theme in the movie because the film opened with the unveiling of a monument only to find out that the Tramp is relaxingly cradled in its arms, plus his pants got hooked by the monument’s sword when he was asked to leave. The audience can see the theme when Tramp saw the blind woman selling flowers in a corner. It was conceived that he liked the woman the first time he met her. In emphasizing the theme, the film used Tramp’s gaze and fondness for the blind woman that obviously tell the audience he likes her at the first encounter. 2) What were the choices made by the main characters and what were the consequences of those choices? First, Tramp’s helping of a drunk millionaire when he was about to commit suicide in a river resulted to a newly-formed friendship. Because of that, Tramp was able to see the millionaire’s house and was offered a drink, aside from the friendship. Moreover, the Tramp was also able to find out the condition of the blind woman he met on the street when he decided to find her. As a result of the growing affection he has for the woman, the Tramp decided to help finance her costly eye operation, and even pay for their rent. The Tramp decided to be a street cleaner and a boxer. He was not successful, though, in winning the fight. Accidentally, he met with his millionaire friend in a street. His friend, likewise, decided to help his friend, and gave him the money he needed. Despite the odds (thieves sent his millionaire friend to sleep while they were talking in the living room), the Tramp was able to give the money to the blind woman, and she had her operation successfully. In the end, the cured woman acknowledged the Tramp when they met for the first time after he was imprisoned. The woman accepted the Tramp when she first saw him, and the Tramp’s love was also requited. 3) What three or four sequences are most important in the film? Why? First, it was during the time when the Tramp met the blind woman in the street, and immediately falls in love with her. It gave him someone to look forward to. Second, when he tried to stop the drunk millionaire from committing suicide. That started their friendship, even though the millionaire is hostile when he is not drunk. Their friendship paved way for his access to various parties, and even driving the millionaire’s car. Third, the Tramp’s surprise visit to the blind woman’s house made him know her condition and the need for a costly eye operation. It was because of knowing her situation that made him determined to help her. His friendship with the millionaire also helped the blind woman to be cured through his money given to him. Because of their acquaintance also, he was imprisoned and spent his life in jail for stealing the millionaire’s money (apparently, the millionaire did not remember anything after the thieves hit him on the head). The final sequence was when the Tramp and the cured woman finally met, and their love was proven in the end. 4) Did the ?lm surprise you with anything unusual in its story, style, technique, or implications? The film surprised me in a sense that despite its being a silent film, it still makes me laugh my heart out, and perfectly understands the situations in every scene. Present comedy films nowadays earned approval and laughter from the audience through exchanges of witty and funny lines, but this movie is different because the physical coordination and expression are enough to make the audience laugh. The Tramp’s hilarious acts, which always end up in disaster, are incomparable and still amusing even to this day. I believe no one can duplicate Chaplin’s genius when it comes to physical gestures that always exude humor. Moreover, the scene with the Apache dancer also surprised me in a sense that it was acceptable in the past as an art or expression. Its background music was also a revelation because it was entertaining and very much classic. 5) Were any particular ?lm techniques used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and music enhance the setting and themes of the ?lm? Provide speci?c details and explanations. Common technique used in silent films is visual texts before, during, or after a scene to aid the audience understands in some scenes. However, the technique that is mostly used in the movie is the effortless body gestures, not just of the Tramp, but also with the other characters that are enough to entertain the audience. Furthermore, the use of contrasting locations emphasized the disparity and irony in the society, from the grand setting of the millionaire’s house and party ballrooms, to the destitute life of common people in the street. Although it is a romantic comedy film, it also includes social reality. Moreover, the music blended well with the situations in the movie, such as in emphasizing the sad condition of the blind woman, and the disastrous situations of the Tramp. 6) Who directed the film? Does the director have a particularly distinct style? Would you recognize his work in other ?lms? What does the director's style reveal about him? The director of the film is less Charlie Chaplin who also played as the main character and writer. He is widely known during the era of silent filmmaking. Other directors during his time portray their stories in a serious light, but Chaplin’s specialty revolves around the use of pantomime and slapstick. He enhanced his talent in filmmaking and writing by attending stage acts and apprenticeship in a studio known as the Keystone Studios (Neibaur 30). He also got his fondness and skills in slapstick in there. His films are mostly recognized as his creation because of the usual integration of romance, drama, and the best ingredient which is comedy. His style makes the audience think that his personality is that of a light-hearted person who always turns serious situations into funny moments. Work Cited Neibaur, James L. Early Charlie Chaplin: The Artist as Apprentice at Keystone Studios. Plymouth, UK: Scarecrow Press, 2012. Print. Read More