A rumor has persisted, fueled by the intense rivalry among fans of the two comics, that Keaton gave such a superior performance that Chaplin jealously cut his scenes so he would not be upstaged by his rival. A close associate of Chaplin claimed that Chaplin not only did not feel threatened by Keaton's performance, but also heavily edited his own footage of the duet while enhancing Keaton's. According to Keaton's biographer Rudi Blesh, Chaplin eased his notoriously rigid directorial style to give Keaton free rein to invent his own comic business during this sequence.
Source: Keaton, Eleanor and Jeffrey Vance. Buster Keaton Remembered. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001, pg. 203 ISBN 0-8109-4227-5.
A love letter to the days of Music Hall, Limelight is an incredibly personal picture for Chaplin, and his investment makes everything resonate more strongly. Intercut with vintage comedy routines, songs, and ballet (the same way some old-fashioned musicals were structured), this is the story of an over-the-hill comedian (Chaplin at his most self-derisive, and potentially, honest) and a young dancer battling depression and crippling anxiety (Claire Bloom who here gives a somewhat airy performance, but an effective one nonetheless). Can they heal one another? The answer is going to be yes, but in her case, she has a whole career in front of her, while he'll be old and obsolete even if he is "fixed". There's so much to love in Limelight. Chaplin's love/hate relationship with the stage and the audience. His first and only team-up with Buster Keaton. The way he predicts much of the action as if tapping into familiar patterns (Bloom's romantic subplot, the Cyrano crack that leads us into an ending frankly reminiscent of Molière's). His refusal to accept her love. The slap followed by the prayer. I could probably go on. This is a film that is so full of nostalgia and self-reflection that you'd be happy with it at two-thirds the length (I felt full at 90 minutes), but keeps going and getting better and more touching.
A such brilliant movie that only a genial man like Chaplin could do. His life in pictures, already old and not funny as before, he presents us with his last and most sensational piece of art. Ps: amazing that he filmed with Buster Keaton!
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mrjeffwright
AndrewB
justwannaboogie
@K.A rumor has persisted, fueled by the intense rivalry among fans of the two comics, that Keaton gave such a superior performance that Chaplin jealously cut his scenes so he would not be upstaged by his rival. A close associate of Chaplin claimed that Chaplin not only did not feel threatened by Keaton's performance, but also heavily edited his own footage of the duet while enhancing Keaton's. According to Keaton's biographer Rudi Blesh, Chaplin eased his notoriously rigid directorial style to give Keaton free rein to invent his own comic business during this sequence.
Source: Keaton, Eleanor and Jeffrey Vance. Buster Keaton Remembered. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2001, pg. 203 ISBN 0-8109-4227-5.
Flops
That is not how I expected Buster Keaton's voice to sound! I'm glad I finally watched this. Very good dialogue from the immortal Charles Chaplin.Robbimich
Watched this for the first time and became an instant favorite.The dialogue, the acting, the story is nothing short but a wonderful piece of art. By far Chaplin's most mature work.
Yousef Mousa
If I said that I loved it ,it I'll be lying, what I feel now is more than that.Remarkable movie
Rohit
I'd always love and respect Chaplin for this more than his early comedies.Siskoid
A love letter to the days of Music Hall, Limelight is an incredibly personal picture for Chaplin, and his investment makes everything resonate more strongly. Intercut with vintage comedy routines, songs, and ballet (the same way some old-fashioned musicals were structured), this is the story of an over-the-hill comedian (Chaplin at his most self-derisive, and potentially, honest) and a young dancer battling depression and crippling anxiety (Claire Bloom who here gives a somewhat airy performance, but an effective one nonetheless). Can they heal one another? The answer is going to be yes, but in her case, she has a whole career in front of her, while he'll be old and obsolete even if he is "fixed". There's so much to love in Limelight. Chaplin's love/hate relationship with the stage and the audience. His first and only team-up with Buster Keaton. The way he predicts much of the action as if tapping into familiar patterns (Bloom's romantic subplot, the Cyrano crack that leads us into an ending frankly reminiscent of Molière's). His refusal to accept her love. The slap followed by the prayer. I could probably go on. This is a film that is so full of nostalgia and self-reflection that you'd be happy with it at two-thirds the length (I felt full at 90 minutes), but keeps going and getting better and more touching.Dieguito
A such brilliant movie that only a genial man like Chaplin could do. His life in pictures, already old and not funny as before, he presents us with his last and most sensational piece of art. Ps: amazing that he filmed with Buster Keaton!ecnered
One of the best films I've seen.. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin in one hilarious scene is truly magnificent..valters
wonderful film, didn't bore me one bit.landencelano
Such a devastating film... the Keaton & Chaplin scene is kind of astounding.deckard.
a mediocre movie and the last bit with buster keaton could be much much better, a wasted opportunity.but all in all, it was such a beautiful gesture to include buster keaton. he is still so, so underrated.
Petrux
This movie could easily be the number 1 in the IMDB's Top250... :)diegoivan
The Chaplin in the cover looks like Steve Martin.