City Lights was a movie I hadn't seen before. Though, like other Chaplin movies, was monotonous at times; it was absolutely worth it. I was squealing with joy. Simply so cute.
One thing I've always noticed about Chaplin films is that he just doesn't need a lot of fancy camera work to get his point across. I mean, back then he was already pretty limited to what he could use and work with... but he uses it in just the right way and brilliantly so.
Like the scene where he first meets his drunken friend by the reservoir. Brilliantly choreographed. He didn't need shot after shot of them splashing around in the water... all he needed was one long shot of him and the guy knocking each other back in again and again. And you're still laughing your ass off even without the shot changing very often.
Speaking of beautifully choreographed... that fight scene! Ahh! So fantastic :)
My book says that the girl who plays The Blind Girl (Virginia Cherrill) was a spoiled, recently divorced, brat. She threatened to leave the set entirely and Chaplin probably would have let her if they weren't so far into the shooting. They never had anything nice to say about each other.
Ahh, but who cares: they have great chemistry on the screen :)
Highly recommended. A must see.
love,
Rose
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