Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin

Film Review: Modern Times, 1936, Charlie Chaplin
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Film Review: Modern Times, 1936, Charlie Chaplin
The film "Modern Times" was released in 1936 and is considered one of Charlie Chaplin's most famous works. The comedy depicts Chaplin's iconic character, "The Tramp," fighting for survival in the contemporary industrialized world. "Modern Times" is notable for its satirical commentary on the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the Great Depression. The film follows "The Tramp" as he encounters various amusing situations while working in a factory, including being subjected to the monotony of an assembly line and caught up in misfortunes with machinery (Jager, 2022). While "Modern Times" is primarily a silent film, it includes synchronized sound effects and a musical score that Chaplin composed. 
The film addresses several central arguments and themes related to the impact of industrialization and modernity on individuals and society. Firstly, the film portrays the dehumanizing effects of the industrial age, where authorities reduce workers to mere tools in the machinery of capitalism. The Tramp's repetitive and monotonous tasks on the assembly line symbolize the loss of individuality and dignity in the modern world. Secondly, the film questions the relentless pursuit of efficiency and technological progress at the expense of human well-being. The film highlights the dangers and insanity of excessive automation, with comical scenes illustrating the chaos and dysfunction caused by overreliance on machinery (Jager, 2022). Lastly, "Modern Times" explores the alienation and isolation experienced by individuals in the modern world. Despite being surrounded by people, the Tramp often feels disconnected and lonely, emphasizing the breakdown of human connections and community in an industrialized society.
The "Modern Times" arguments are interconnected, as they all revolve around the negative consequences of modernity and industrialization. The film suggests that the rapid pace of technological progress and the pursuit of efficiency can lead to the devaluation of human life, social inequality, and the loss of essential human qualities such as compassion and connection. Chaplin's emotional performance in "Modern Times" encourages viewers to reflect on the human costs of progress and question a society's priorities driven by materialistic pursuits.
"Modern Times" focuses on several social, cultural, political, and historical issues through its narrative in many ways. The film occurs during the Great Depression, a severe worldwide economic downturn. "Modern Times" portrays the devastating impact of social inequality and economic crisis on the working class, with scenes of unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. Secondly, the film reveals the harsh realities of labour conditions during the industrial era by depicting the exploitation of workers, their long hours, low wages, and unsafe working environments (Birdwell, 2021). The Tramp's experiences in the factory showcase the dehumanizing nature of r...