Although there isn't quite the depth to "The Adventurer" that many of Chaplin's films have, since most of it is just slapstick comedy, on that level it is still quite a success. It is non-stop fun with a lot of good gags, with good work not only from Chaplin but also from his supporting cast.
Charlie plays a convict who escapes from prison and tries one thing after another to stay free. Early in the movie, when he happens to save a rich girl (Chaplin regular Edna Purviance) from drowning, he is taken into her home, and from there, some hilarious situations and a lot of frantic activity follow.
One of the things that works very well in this feature is the re-use of a couple of the same gags with different details. Chaplin and the rest of the cast also work together well in building up the humor as it goes along. There are also some hints at some of Chaplin's usual social themes. For pure comedy, this is one of the best of Chaplin's short films.