The movie limelight was written, directed, and produced by Chaplin, and like other movies where one person reigns in full control it was beautiful, poignant, and somewhat ego-centric.
The movie itself seems autobiographical of Chaplin. A person who once enjoyed fame finds himself suddenly in a different time. He is not the it thing anymore, no one wants to work with him, association with his name is death.
The Chaplin character in the movie (Calvero) finds solice from his new life status by helping another struggling artist Terry. (Played by Clair Bloom) Terry is a ballerina, failing, suicidal, and psychosomatically paralyzed. (How else?)
Thus Calvero comes to the rescue, full of inspiration to heal and help the young artist. Through the process Calvero himself finds new life again, he sheds all past notions of fame and returns to the street, to keep it real and be happy.
I think one of the most interesting parts of the film is when Calvero gives a comeback performance and lets the segment run in silence while he performs some classic Chaplin. It is painful to sit through the two minutes of silence and it seems like Chaplin is giving us all a nod to how much times have moved on and how he got left behind.
Buy from Amazon if you want
but I give this film a 50-50. It is a good film, but probably one better caught on T.V. or borrowed from a friend. Leave a comment and I might just mail you my copy. ;)
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