Post #3 - "Modern Times" Review

            Charlie Chaplin runs us through his bleak yet satirical view of the current state of society in his time.  His quirky character, the little tramp, deals with big business as a factory worker literally being eaten up by “the machine”.  He portrays a cynical view of corporation heads and shows the audience just how life is living on the very outskirts of society.  Even so, he continues to use his special brand of comedy including both subtle and explicit jokes, gags, and all around ridiculousness.  The story itself is a compelling drama involving two people just trying to get by in the harsh time of the early 1900’s.  They try to find work, they get in trouble with the law, and end finally end up simply walking away from it all.  Chaplin decides to end the movie with a fairly happy ending, and ultimately gives off a message of hope towards others who are struggling.  He himself lived through hard times, but, by the end of his life he became one the richest men in the world.  He tries to say that anything is possible, and all anyone really had to do was keep moving forward and look past all the bad.