Chaplin Today: The Kid (2003)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This MK2 documentary lasts 27-minutes and I'll admit upfront that I didn't find it too interesting. The first portion talks about the production of THE KID and the topics include how the studio didn't want Chaplin doing a feature, how it took a year to make and of course the fact that it turned out to be a huge hit. We also hear about the personal issues going on with Chaplin including a divorce as well as trying to bring his mother to the United States. The second half of the film has Abbas Klarostami and his son talking about the film. The second portion of this film is the most questionable because the director appears to be trying to connect THE KID to some lesser known movies like BROAD AND ALLEY (1970) and THE WIND WILL CARRY US (1999). I guess the director wants to show all three as forgotten masterpieces but that really doesn't work because THE KID is in no way, shape or form forgotten or overlooked. The first half of the film is slightly more entertaining but it too is a bit dry. We do get to see some of the shorts that Coogan appeared in as well as getting some footage from 1971 when Chaplin re-edited the movie and created a new score. There's also some home movies shown of Chaplin, which are nice to see.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This MK2 documentary lasts 27-minutes and I'll admit upfront that I didn't find it too interesting. The first portion talks about the production of THE KID and the topics include how the studio didn't want Chaplin doing a feature, how it took a year to make and of course the fact that it turned out to be a huge hit. We also hear about the personal issues going on with Chaplin including a divorce as well as trying to bring his mother to the United States. The second half of the film has Abbas Klarostami and his son talking about the film. The second portion of this film is the most questionable because the director appears to be trying to connect THE KID to some lesser known movies like BROAD AND ALLEY (1970) and THE WIND WILL CARRY US (1999). I guess the director wants to show all three as forgotten masterpieces but that really doesn't work because THE KID is in no way, shape or form forgotten or overlooked. The first half of the film is slightly more entertaining but it too is a bit dry. We do get to see some of the shorts that Coogan appeared in as well as getting some footage from 1971 when Chaplin re-edited the movie and created a new score. There's also some home movies shown of Chaplin, which are nice to see.