Everyone has a wild side. Even a legend.|Dec. 17, 1992|United Kingdom | France | Italy | Japan | United States|143 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Biography;Comedy;Drama;Family;Kids;Music;Romance
Description: The film **Chaplin (1992)** tells the story of Charlie Chaplin, one of the most iconic figures in cinema history. The narrative unfolds through an elderly Chaplin’s reflections during a conversation with George Hayden, a fictionalized editor of his autobiography. Chaplin’s journey begins in poverty-stricken London, where he escapes hardship by immersing himself in the world of variety theater. At just four years old, he steps in for his mother, Hanna, after she suffers a nervous breakdown on stage. Hanna is later committed to an asylum due to her worsening mental health.
Chaplin and his brother, Sydney, find work with variety producer Fred Karno, who eventually sends Charlie to the United States. There, he begins a relationship with dancer Hetty Kelly and proposes to her, but she declines, believing she is too young. Despite this, Chaplin vows to return to her once he achieves success.
In America, Chaplin joins comedy producer Mack Sennett and creates his iconic Tramp persona. Frustrated by Sennett’s girlfriend Mabel Normand’s poor direction, Chaplin takes over as his own director. With Sydney as his manager, he leaves Sennett to gain full creative control of his films, aiming to establish his own studio. In 1917, he completes *The Immigrant* and briefly dates actress Edna Purviance.
Later, at a party hosted by Douglas Fairbanks, Chaplin begins a relationship with child actress Mildred Harris. He builds his own studio and becomes “the most famous man in the world” before turning 30. When Harris claims to be pregnant, Chaplin feels compelled to marry her, only to discover it was a lie. This leads to a confrontation with J. Edgar Hoover, sparking a 40-year vendetta against Chaplin.
During Harris’s divorce proceedings, her lawyers target Chaplin’s film *The Kid* as an asset. To protect it, Chaplin and Sydney flee with the footage, edit it in a Salt Lake City hotel, and smuggle it back to Los Angeles. They bring their mother to America, but Chaplin struggles to cope with her deteriorating mental health.
In 1921, Chaplin attends the UK premiere of *The Kid*. Hoping to reconnect with Hetty, he learns from Karno that she died during the influenza epidemic. He also faces resentment from the British working class for not serving in the war alongside them.
The film captures Chaplin’s rise to fame, his personal struggles, and the lasting impact of his work on cinema and society.
Cast director: Richard Attenborough
Cast actor: Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, Paul Rhys, John Thaw, Moira Kelly, Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd, Marisa Tomei, Penelope Ann Miller, Kevin Kline
Original name: Chaplin