Chaplin

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Chaplin

PG-13

Released Jan 8, 1993

2h 24m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

62%

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52 Reviews

81%

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25,000+ Ratings

Re-creation of the life of comic genius Charlie Chaplin, from his humble beginnings in south London through his early days in British vaudeville, his silent movie career in America and his late masterpieces. His turbulent personal life saw four marriages and an enforced exile from the US - though he returned to receive an honorary Oscar in 1972.

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Critics Consensus

Chaplin boasts a terrific performance from Robert Downey, Jr. in the title role, but it isn't enough to overcome a formulaic biopic that pales in comparison to its subject's classic films.

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Anthony Lane

Independent on Sunday

Downey has a perfect ear for the Chaplin accent, the way it climbed from Cockney to minced posh, and a perfect boot and fist for the slapstick; the one thing he doesn't have is an eye on his own brilliance.

Jan 3, 2018

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

For all the movie's undisputed competence, grand and inspired moments are thin on the ground.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 27, 2008

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Thom Geier

AARP Movies for Grownups

Richard Attenborough’s biopic can be formulaic, but Downey nails Chaplin’s all-over-London accent (sometimes Cockney, sometimes posh) and his gift for sidesplitting slapstick.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 29, 2024

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Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Personalities fly by, mostly in cameos, to heighten the sense that you're getting a lot of dish, but Chaplin feels more like a lesson than an entertainment; yet it doesn't teach us much. If you want to understand Charlie Chaplin, watch his movies.

May 9, 2023

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a fairly standard biopic that remains wholly unable to capture (and sustain) the viewer’s interest...

Rated: 2/4

Jan 24, 2023

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Maarit L

I loved the film in the 90’s but in the 2025 it seems kind of old fashioned in the wrong way…

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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Alexandra H

Wonderful movie! I particularly loved seeing at the end the series of short clips of Chaplin's greatest hits. And seeing, after the end of the movie, what happened to all the people in Chaplin's life. Chaplin gave us a unique and wonderful treasure chest of comedy and also led an amazing life. He was a great gift to us Earth people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

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Tyler S

Did not know anything about Charlie Chaplin's life. This film painted everything really nicely. I loved the way the story was told throughout the film. I also loved Robert Downey Jr's performance as Chaplin. How he did not win the Oscar is pretty shocking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

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Louise C

I enjoyed this film. Robert Downey Jnr really did emulate Charlie Chaplin well. His grandaughter, Geraldine Chaplin, said that it seemed as though Charlie had entered Robert's body and taken it over for the movie. How's that for a great compliment on the performance!? For older audiences, I highly recommend this.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/30/23

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Elliott B

A good biopic, even when it hits all the usual marks.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

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Pablo Y

Una historia fascinante, a la altura de su protagonista. Un cariñoso tributo a Chaplin.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Richard Attenborough

Director

Robert Downey Jr.

Charles Chaplin

Dan Aykroyd

Mack Sennett

Geraldine Chaplin

Hannah Chaplin

Kevin Dunn

J. Edgar Hoover

Anthony Hopkins

George Hayden

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Synopsis

Re-creation of the life of comic genius Charlie Chaplin, from his humble beginnings in south London through his early days in British vaudeville, his silent movie career in America and his late masterpieces. His turbulent personal life saw four marriages and an enforced exile from the US - though he returned to receive an honorary Oscar in 1972.

Director: Richard Attenborough
Producer: Richard Attenborough, Mario Kassar
Screenwriter: William Boyd, Bryan Forbes, William Goldman
Distributor: Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Carolco Pictures Inc., Canal+
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 8, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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