AFI Fest 2021: The Real Charlie Chaplin Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s AFI Fest, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Charlie Chaplin was undeniably one of the biggest movie stars of the early 1900s but many may not know about that man behind the the infamous mustache, bowler hat, cane, and funny walk of The Tramp for which he made famous. It may surprise some to hear that he was much more than that as the latest upcoming documentary, The Real Charlie Chaplin, does exactly that by looking into the life and evolution of Chaplin over the years from his humble beginnings in London, England as a Vaudeville performer to one of the biggest movies stars in the world during the silent film era to becoming the target of J. Edgar Hoover as he was accused as a communist sympathizer which led to his exile from the United States and his eventual downfall. Parallel to Chaplin’s evolution and his subsequent rise and fall was the evolution of the film industry itself from its inception to the one we see today.

Featuring engaging narration from Pearl Mackie, The Real Charlie Chaplin is compelling to watch throughout and interesting but that being said, that macro approach to the subject matter means more quantity over quality. As things get more interesting, the film simply moves on which could be frustrating at times. However, what the film offers in terms of content will surely appeal to cinephiles and film history enthusiasts, employing the usual documentary conventions as interviews and some impressive archival footage.

At the end of the day, The Real Charlie Chaplin will be a hit for any fan of Chaplin but is likely to not convert others.

 still courtesy of Showtime

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.