Reacting to Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights"
Briefly discuss your reaction to Chaplin’s film, “City Lights.” Has
viewing the film changed your opinion about silent (and/or black and white)
films? Would you recommend it to a friend to view? Bring your work to class,
word processed, next Wednesday. Write between 150 and 200 words.
17 comments:
“City Lights” is a marvel, Charlie Chaplin a genius. Deceptively simple and full of classic scenes that make us laugh out loud, “City Lights” has an undercurrent of serious intent. I watched the ending twice on Friday, and believe it effectively shows exactly what Chaplin intended as his theme. The flower girl has had her sight restored and works happily at the shop. When she sees the Little Tramp at the window she remarks (cruelly and condescendingly) that “I’ve made a conquest!” Her attitude towards a poor man is one of someone successful in life and heartbreakingly typical; her good fortune (resulting from the Little Tramp’s sacrifice) has made her this way. It is her realization as she gives him the flower and comprehends who he is and what he has sacrificed that leads so naturally to her final statement: “Yes, I can see now.” It is not her eyesight but her ability to see him as a human being. Whether there will be a “happy ending” is irrelevant, for Chaplin has made his point about the indignities and struggles of the poor among us. That it is in black and white and silent, for me, is irrelevant to this film’s power. I would heartily recommend it to anyone as inequality reaches historic heights in the 21st century.
—218 words
This romantic comedy film, “City Lights”, made me feel joyful and sentimental. This film, with lots of ridiculous scenes from start to finish, was so comic that I was charmed with it and laughed loudly. Before I watched this film, I thought that silent films have some limitations; however, “City Lights” by Chaplin changed my biased thoughts. Because this silent film allowed me to focus on the characters’ facial expressions, actions and gestures instead of their conversations, I was able to immerse myself in this movie. Sometimes, I like watching black and white films since they are more elegant and classier than colored films. I enjoyed the advantages of black and white films, recalling the old days before colored films became more common. The plot of “City Lights” revolves around the Little Tramp’s struggles to help a blind flower girl he has fallen in love with. Their love is pure and unconditional. “City Lights” leads us to think about our values of life and various life styles through the contrast of material and spiritual wealth. I would recommend this film strongly to friends who haven’t watched it because this is a funny movie with a powerful theme. –197 words
Most of the time, people would come with preconceptions that black and white films are usually boring and unexciting (especially teenagers). However, the great romantic comedy -City Lights by Charlie Chaplin- totally overturns my prejudice. When I was a kid, I used to see this man with some quotations on the wall, but I had never paid any attention on him. Until last Friday, I watched his movie, and I found his movie is not only funny but also meaningful. His pantomime successfully made the students in our class laugh out loud. Also, the Little Tramp in the movie has showed his benevolence towards a blind girl without asking any payback. At the end of the movie, he was sent to jail because of a misunderstanding of stealing money between the drunken and sober millionaire - he used all the money to cure her blindness. At last, the movie hooks me so much because the Little Tramp met the blind girl outside a flower shop. He smiles shyly and lovely towards her, and that is it. I would highly recommend this movie to my friends. I don’t know why, perhaps it is just simply funny and I love it?
—196 words.
“City Lights” is the last silent film of Charles Chaplin and also represents his highest artistic achievement. This film tells a grieved love story of a Little Tramp through a comedic approach and in the meantime conveys a scathing satire on the society; in the end of the film, when the sight restored flower girl comprehends the tramp’s true colours by hand touch, it brought me a tearful smile. Silence on longer is golden. The silent film era seems to have in the past, and increasingly more people of modern society pay attention to the visual and sound effects, but mostly, these films would soon be forgotten. However, “City Lights is like an evergreen in films, always having a new taste when watching a few years later. “City Lights” doesn’t seem to use high technology nor made a huge investment; instead, in the limited technical conditions, Chaplin maximally tapped the expression potential of frames, combined with his talented performances, thus creating the classic masterwork. Another point that attracted me in the film is its musical structure. The themes of scenes always consort with themes of melody. The dreamland and the reality, poverty and wealth, self-sacrifice and selfishness sufficiently demonstrate in the music. I would strongly recommend it to anyone as a treasure of the pastoral times of film.
-218 words
“City lights” is a marvelous movie. This film is full of typical scenes that make me laugh a lot. To view “City Lights” by Charlie Chaplin has changed my opinion on silent films because I thought that they had some limitations, but this film is full of ridiculous scenes from the beginning to the end. In this film, I was able to focus on characters and actions instead of their conversations. The poor man who loved the flower girl had a millionaire friend who gave him some money to help her. She has had her sight restored, and she was happy. It reminds me of my girlfriend that I used to have when I was in high school. Her parents didn’t have enough money to pay for her rent, and then they asked me if I could help out. I paid for her rent for most of all of her high school. When you are in love, you will do anything to help your love. I like to watch black and white films because I find them very interesting. Definitely, I will recommend this film to friends who haven’t seen it or who want to see a romantic comedy. 199 words
I consider “City Lights” as an inspiring and deep movie. The brilliant combination of comedy and drama is astounding. Even though it was a silent, with just minimal subtitles, the plot was intellectually presented, therefore, it was easily understood. Charlie Chaplin’s remarkable portrayal of his role was amazing. He acted effortlessly in rendering his powerful role throughout the film. In addition, I love the “City Lights” black and white film, because to me, it means classic. I simply adore how the characters were dressed in the movie. It is pure elegance, especially for the women. Charlie Chaplin’s undying and unconditional love for the flower lady was profound. He put aside his own needs in favour for the one he loves. His friend’s (the millionaire) inhumane behaviour is cruel. I can only hope that this kind of conduct be corrected and dealt with accordingly. Although, I will never completely know the ending of the film, I would like to believe that they both have each other in the end. My ambivalent feelings about silent movies have changed, since being silent was not an obstruction in conveying a plot. I found this film to be meaningful, thus, I strongly recommend it. 199 words
The silent film “City Lights” is a genius creation. The sound movie had established its position firmly; the critical triumph of “City Lights” is a miracle. Therefore I want to know the reason. Reviewing the film, I find surprisingly the film gives incredible sound effect. It is full of sound and music, but no speech. Chaplin designed the sounds elaborately. At the beginning, the sounds imitate the addressers’ voices and create an image for comedy. It’s an audio gag that the tramp swallows a whistle and makes disconcerting chirrup. The folk song melody can be heard in the movie. The synchronized music transfers some feelings too. Chaplin is an incredible story teller – he even uses “no sound”. At the first meeting, the tramp slams the car door first. That suggests to the girl a rich man coming out of a limousine. This misunderstanding lasts to the end. Then, the millionaire slums again. The tramp eventually realizes it and tiptoes away. The “no sound” makes me use other senses to feel it more carefully. The last scene is “no sound” too. The tramp stands outside, no action, just embarrassed- “no sound” excels any sound. Since then, I see the “silent film” in a new light. “City light” is worthy to review for anyone.
(Words: 212)
It was my first time watching a silent movie and to my surprise, it’s not as boring as I thought. I found the producer uses music well to match the plot; for example, when the beautiful flower girl appears, the background music is graceful. Besides, actors only can use very limited words, so their expressions and actions sometimes are exaggerated. What the most interesting is two sets of completely opposite images between the tramp and the millionaire, and between the tramp and the handsome wealthy man that the flower girl imagines. The millionaire is happy only when he is drunk, although he is very rich. On the other hand, the tramp inspires him and says “Tomorrow the birds will sing.” They are so different both in social rank and in their attitude towards life. Near the last scene, when the handsome man gets off his car to order flowers, the flower girl thinks he is the man who helped her. Later when she holds the tramp’s hand and finds out “he” is the man that she has dreamed of. I think the climax of this movie is the unbelievable look shown on her face and the embarrassing smile on the tramp’s face. I highly recommend “City Lights” to my friends. ---210 words
I believed the black and white movie, “City Lights”, brought lots of laughs and sorrows to the class on Wednesday. This film wasn’t only black and white but also silence. Although watching a silence movie like “City Lights” is very interesting by guessing actors’ body-language, the subtitle is sometimes necessary for particular place. Before Wednesday’s class, we had a chance to sneak a peek of this movie weeks ago; it had implanted to my memory. The director, Charles Chaplin, of this movie cleverly shot a very attractive beginning grasp audiences’ attention. I was the kind of people who only watch fascinating and exciting movies, and silence or black and white movie is just not my type. “City Lights” has a great influence to me towards black and white movies because it lets me known they can be interesting too. This is a good film that deserves recommend to all my friends. After watching this movie, I felt I understand it better more than some movies with lots of dialogues. Without the dialogues, viewers can focus details happening in the movie to fully comprehend the plot, and I believed this is silence movie’s charm.
193 words
The famous silent movie, “City Light”, is humorous and impressible. The common stereotype of black and white silent movie is boring. I have heard my mother talked about him, but I refused to watch them because of my illusion. After I watched this movie, I worship the great artist, Charlie Chaplin. His hilarious expressions and humorous scenario attract my attention and make me laugh aloud. Even though it is black and white and it has no oral conversation, I am touched by the love story. Charlie Chaplin successfully represents the great love for the blind flower girl without asking anything in return. My favorite part is the last scene. After he is released from jail, they meet in front of the girl’s flower shop. When the flower girl recognizes him by touching his hand, she asks, ”you?”, and then he happily nod his head. The true love appears with their smiles. I would highly recommend this comic romantic film to my friends. I also will introduce this film to my children. Art is priceless and world-wide, and we can’t judge it by its age and colors
When Brad relieved the lesson plan to the class, announcing that we would be watching a film the entire class I was ecstatic, and relieved, as I had a tiresome and challenging week of exams in other courses. When Brad told the class the film would be entirely in black and white, and with no dialog my excitement turned to disappointment. It was a growling thought to watch an entire film from beginning to end in black and white and without dialog. However shortly into the film my sprit up lifted, as I watched the physical animation of the charter played by Charley Chapman. Chapman does an excellent job carrying the emotions of his charter though body language. The film forced me to pay more attention to body language of the charters, as in ordinary films dialog always enforces emotions. The film “City of Lights” reminded me of the modern British television program Mr. Bean, as the character Mr. Bean speaks very little dialog in the program, but the actor (Rowan Atkinson) is able to express emotion through physical animation of body language. I enjoyed the film thoroughly, but still believe it would of been more enjoyable in color.
--197 words
I was glad to see Charles Chaplin in the film "City Lights" on Friday. It reminded me of watching some films with this actor in my childhood; the first TV,that my parents had, was black and white. However, I did not interpret the pantomime and irony in his films(I was too young). I only caught a glimpse of Chaplin's funny actions and enjoyed it. Now I can recognize hidden points of view, thoughts about people around us through Chaplin's image. Furthermore, in the silent films you more address yourself to on the theme, setting, and conflicts of the characters - not on plain conversations between them. In my opinion, the film "City Lights" is a good one. I would recommend some of my friends to view the film who think similar me. Charles Chaplin was a great actorin the world cinematography. - 152 words
“City Lights” is one of the most immortal works of the unforgettable star in the history of world cinema, Charlie Chaplin. Despite being silent and black and white, the movie is very attractive and telling because Chaplin’s capability and creativity is beyond the sound and color. He has created the most meaningful, stirring, and laughable scenes through his professional act, and his unique talent with only a few-but deep-written words. “City lights” in addition to illustrate the power of love, describes the painful society problems such as poverty and injustice by an amazing irony language. The film starts with a very interesting scene, showing the sharp sword and Chaplin’s struggling with that infracts the mayor words about the monument, “peace and prosperity”. Chaplin’s wealthy friend points to the human contradictory personality; his drunk friend’s question, “Am I driving?” is an ironic point to the lack of humans awareness about their acts. The last scene of the movie is apogee of his power to transfer many deep emotions to the audience. Touching Chaplin’s hand and knowing him by the girl was full of sense. I recommend seeing “city lights” to everyone because of its excellent features; a worldwide and memorable movie that makes every audience laughed, inspiring, and impressed.
208 words
I have been thought Silent Movie was out with the development of technology in movie. When I watched the “City Lights” by Charlie Chaplin last week, I have been attracted unexpectedly because of its incredible performance and profound scheme. Undoubtedly Chaplin is talented. For example, when a millionaire attempts to commit suicide, he accidently pushed the tramp into the water several times. Without saying any word, their actions and expressions are amusing. Chaplin’s outstanding performance make the views not only laugh aloud and also think deeply. The millionaire regards the Little Tramp as his good friend only when he’s drunk. That is a satire. The gap between the rich and the poor is hard to overcome. Although the tramp saves the millionaire’s life, their relationship is still not accepted by the society even the millionaire self. Also, the millionaire’s servant is rude when he deals with the Little Tramp. As far as I’m concerned, the discrimination between the rich and the poor existed several decade years ago as this silent movie does, and it exists now, too. The conflict between the person and himself is hard to eliminate because he knows that his society would not accept his behavior. All in all, since it is relaxing and thoughtful, I strongly recommend “City Lights” to my friends.
207 Words
CITY LIGHTS
It was treat to watch Charlie Chaplin's movie "City Lights". First, I thought it would be difficult to watch a silent movie for eighty-seven minutes. However, when this movie started, I forgot to blink my eyes. Every scene in this movie was brilliantly picturized. All the characters portrayed their emotions and acting skills through their eyes. The protagonist steals money so he could help the blind girl to regain her eyesight. It shows the kind heart of the down trodden society, whereas the millionaire friend of the hero who finds happiness in treating people shabbily reflects the cruel face of high society. The highlight of the movie is the last scene, where the heroine touches the hands of Charlie Chaplin and realizes that he is the person who had helped her to regain her eyesight. The comedy and romance is at the peak in this movie. I would definitely recommend this movie to my friends, so that he could also enjoy the flavor of silent era movie.
170 words
How fabulous the movie, “City Lights,” was! I can not stop laughing all the time. Without any words, Charile Chaplin uses comical and exaggerative idiosyncrasy to express a part of the society. It is a fascinating narrative mechanism. The director had the characters use different action, facial expression with various sounds effect to present their emotions successfully. For example, the music raised the amusing mood at the beginning of the movie and the compact one in nervous scene—boxing match. I was totally thrown into the movie and was really touched by the poor, love story. I can understand the unfortunate situations the tramp had and the dilemma he encountered by his actions. These were portrayed in two scenes. The first time shows his internal conflict when he hesitated to buy the flower; the second one was the last time he went to the flower girl’s house. Money is important to him, but he decided to help his crush. His greatest sacrifice was asking nothing in return. Conversely, Chaplin produces a wealthy man who lives in luxurious life to make tramp’s fate stand out (the external conflict). All my memory from high school about Chaplin is related to ridiculous comedy; however, after Friday, I have totally changed my opinion about black and white film. It is not only funny but also full of profound meaning. He uses the simplest elements, but presents a perfect story. I will highly recommend this film to my friends to amuse their unchangeable life.
My reaction to Chaplin’s film, City Lights, is interesting, but cruel. Seeing the rich people has their rights to treat someone that in low level in that society so cruel. The main actor is a nice man, but nobody cares of him because his clothing and his funny looks to others. When he accidently met a flower girl, he helped he. Even though he needed the money so badly, he brought her flower and sat beside her and took care of her. Despite of his kindness, he met a rich man near by the river. Since that his life started to shine; however, it was not for long. It was an irony that the rich man didn’t recognize him every time when he got over the alcohol. That society was collapsed because rich is so rich and poor is very poor. The color black and white really indicated different level of people. I would recommend it to my friends because it is not only a good film but also we can realize something deeper in our society.
177 words
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