City Lights (1931)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Josh M

  
  City Lights is the highest form of cinema art, it's perfect and works on every level to which Chaplin aspired: the comic, the dramatic, the asethetic and the profound. I screened it with two pre-teens and they were rapt, so the fact that it's silent, black and white and has… More
  City Lights is the highest form of cinema art, it's perfect and works on every level to which Chaplin aspired: the comic, the dramatic, the asethetic and the profound. I screened it with two pre-teens and they were rapt, so the fact that it's silent, black and white and has weird old costumes and cars was not a deterrent for their enjoying this masterpiece. It's a film that never leaves the consciousness once it's been seen. The story is an elemental fairy tale, a little tramp falls in love with a blind flower girl and becomes her guardian angel, and give up what little he has to save her and get her an operation. Somehow, when handled by Charlie, we buy in to this over the top melodrama, because of total commitment and honesty and superb execution, that holds back just enough to not wallow in bathos. Watch for the balletic comedic set pieces, every deft move rehearsed by Chaplin and his supporting cast to perfection, yet all looking spontaneous. Watch for this film dealing honestly with human cruelty, (poverty, violence, class wars) but showing the goodness and kindness we all have latent in ourselves. Most of all, watch for the most emotionally wrenching last scene ever shot, done simply with close ups of Chaplin and his costar Virgina Cherril as the Blind Girl. As one of the reviewer has already stated below, you'd have to be dead inside to not be moved. 2011's The Artist was a terrific acheivement at recreating silent film, but if you want to experience what silent film can truly acheive, take out City Lights. Interestingly, CIty Lights, like the story of The Artist, was made during the talkie era of 1931 and no one missed sound at all.

• Matheus C

  
  Chaplin could be as much of a mass manipulator in America as Leni Riefenstahl was in Germany - while his constant themes underlying the struggle of the have-nots under the tyrannical hands of the haves can be a bit too dualistically black and white, there's no denying that he… More
  Chaplin could be as much of a mass manipulator in America as Leni Riefenstahl was in Germany - while his constant themes underlying the struggle of the have-nots under the tyrannical hands of the haves can be a bit too dualistically black and white, there's no denying that he knew how to make each member in the audience sympathize with the Little Tramp's misfortunes and misadventures. Here he is at his most effective at pulling the audience's heartstrings, and while the comic timing is a little off sometimes (the boxing sequence does go on more than it should), this remains one of those iconic cinematic gems whose payoff makes even the most cynical moviegoer fall for its sentimental trap.

• Jameson W

  
  A wonderful, classic film of the silent film era. Charlie Chaplin is nothing short of amazing here; he truly is a brilliant comedic performer. He delivers a hilarious and fantastic performance as The Tramp. Virginia Cherrill is also great as The Blind Girl, and she's adorable.… More
  A wonderful, classic film of the silent film era. Charlie Chaplin is nothing short of amazing here; he truly is a brilliant comedic performer. He delivers a hilarious and fantastic performance as The Tramp. Virginia Cherrill is also great as The Blind Girl, and she's adorable. This film is funny, sweet, cute, and a classic. I recommend it!

• Sophie B

  
  A cute little film which was fairly funny but obviously not of my time. I admire Chaplin for sticking with his "silent" films and I do believe this is a better movie for it. He did what he knew best. I couldn't make out at the end if she was still interested in him or… More
  A cute little film which was fairly funny but obviously not of my time. I admire Chaplin for sticking with his "silent" films and I do believe this is a better movie for it. He did what he knew best. I couldn't make out at the end if she was still interested in him or not.

• David L

  
  City Lights is probably one of the most well loved, along with Modern Times, Chaplin movies. The iconic and everlasting character of The Tramp, one of the most lovable, truly human and sympathetic characters perhaps of all time. Sometimes there is some hate towards tramps, like they… More
  City Lights is probably one of the most well loved, along with Modern Times, Chaplin movies. The iconic and everlasting character of The Tramp, one of the most lovable, truly human and sympathetic characters perhaps of all time. Sometimes there is some hate towards tramps, like they are labeled lazy and troublesome. It is very hard to hate The Tramp, because he gives so much when he has so little. He spends his time and money giving to people - whether it be saying a millionaires life or buying a flower from a blind girl. Undoubtedly, we all have a little bit of The Tramp in us. The plot is as follows: the Tramp meets and falls in love with a blind girl who sells flowers on the street. She is poor and by a mere coincidence, believes that The Tramp is rich. He also saves a drunken millionaire from suicide, and despite his gratefulness, doesn't remember the poor tramp unless he is drunk. City Lights is no doubt a magnificent feat in motion picture history. It's poignant view of the world and society leaves you laughing and crying at the same time. Some believe this should really be called a drama instead of a comedy. I believe it is a strong mixture of both, and a great balance of the two. Both comedic and touching, City Lights should not be missed by anyone.

• Dan S

  
  An undeniable classic which ranks amongst one of the best films ever made. It's funny, fast-moving, tragic, and ultimately moving, with an endearing lead character to boot. The Tramp is an unforgettable character, someone who stumbles in to riches then is thrown out on the… More
  An undeniable classic which ranks amongst one of the best films ever made. It's funny, fast-moving, tragic, and ultimately moving, with an endearing lead character to boot. The Tramp is an unforgettable character, someone who stumbles in to riches then is thrown out on the streets, a figure who definitely doesn't fit in the world he lives in, but in the end, you care for him, just because how simply sweet and sacrificing he is. Charlie Chaplin couldn't have made this film any better, each scene is pitch-perfect and the way in which the humor is grasped by this master of comedy is really a treat to watch. The last scene is something else, nearly tear-jerking - it's just full of sheer beauty.

• Kalel J

  
  Through City Lights, Chaplin captures a raw essence of emotion, harnessing the core nature of joy, excitement, and love. The film is a transcendental exploraton of a unique individual connection between two people in a big city that is accessible for a current generation as the ones… More
  Through City Lights, Chaplin captures a raw essence of emotion, harnessing the core nature of joy, excitement, and love. The film is a transcendental exploraton of a unique individual connection between two people in a big city that is accessible for a current generation as the ones prior. Its naive tone makes for a sweet, thoroughly touching picture that brightens any mood and acts as a staple film for all to feel.

• Spencer S

  
  Still funny after 79 years. Go Chaplin Go!

• Aaron N

  
  The Tramp: Be careful how you're driving. Eccentric Millionaire: Am I driving? A big deal to produce, seeing as how Chaplin opted to make this film after the "talkies" had been introduced, however it seems to have been worthwhile, because this is a fun, funny, and… More
  The Tramp: Be careful how you're driving. Eccentric Millionaire: Am I driving? A big deal to produce, seeing as how Chaplin opted to make this film after the "talkies" had been introduced, however it seems to have been worthwhile, because this is a fun, funny, and sweet movie. Chaplin's character, this time, is faced with a new challenge - love. While going through his usual antics on the streets of the big city, the Tramp falls in love with a blind girl who sells flowers. She believes him to be a wealthy man and the Tramp does all he can to help her, including his attempts to help pay her rent. With some help from his friend, a millionaire who only recognizes the Tramp when he is drunk, he may have good fortune in the end. The film is of course staged to make the best of Chaplin's comedic abilities in the realm of physical comedy, and he of course excels. There are a number of standout sequences, which all make the film worthwhile.

• danny d

  
  often considered the greatest film by the legendary charlie chaplin, city lights is a beautiful love story with tons of charm. although it drags a bit at the start, the story picks up and gets better and better as time goes on, providing a poetic ending with a bit of a twist. no one… More
  often considered the greatest film by the legendary charlie chaplin, city lights is a beautiful love story with tons of charm. although it drags a bit at the start, the story picks up and gets better and better as time goes on, providing a poetic ending with a bit of a twist. no one can deny chaplins genius, and this film is a great display of some of his most witty comedy. an all time classic.

• Stella D

  
  what a great film. leave it to chaplin to make a successful silent film in the sound era, even mocking the talkies at the beginning. the little tramp befriends an alcoholic millionaire who conveniently never remembers him when sober. and that's just for starters. the boxing… More
  what a great film. leave it to chaplin to make a successful silent film in the sound era, even mocking the talkies at the beginning. the little tramp befriends an alcoholic millionaire who conveniently never remembers him when sober. and that's just for starters. the boxing scene is some of the funniest stuff i've seen in any film ever. and that ending, well...

• Jeremy S

  
  One of my new all-time favourite films. Has one of the best, most romantic tearful, endings ever. The best of the phenomeon that was Charlie Chaplin.

• moon r

  
  why are more people are familiar blow for blow and scene for scene w/ the three stooges' every friggen short and yet (most are) ignorant about this homegrown work of art, of brilliance, i'll never know, but it kinda points to a very serious little problem in our dearly… More
  why are more people are familiar blow for blow and scene for scene w/ the three stooges' every friggen short and yet (most are) ignorant about this homegrown work of art, of brilliance, i'll never know, but it kinda points to a very serious little problem in our dearly beloved society if you ask me. a heartbreaking film about sacrifice that's so unbelievable you wouldn't believe it...unless you're lucky enough to have had someone do it for you...

• Drew S

  
  This is a truly watchable classic. The madcap 30s humor may not be for everyone, but the emotional parts of the story are so simple and sweet that I can't imagine anyone turning a blind eye to it. But then, I'm still sick and I tend to have odd emotional reactions to… More
  This is a truly watchable classic. The madcap 30s humor may not be for everyone, but the emotional parts of the story are so simple and sweet that I can't imagine anyone turning a blind eye to it. But then, I'm still sick and I tend to have odd emotional reactions to things when I'm not at my best, so maybe that has something to do with my appreciation for it. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, though.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Chaplin's most tender, sympathetic and touching masterpiece...one direct punch to the heart.

• Ken S

  
  How can this film not win you over? The final shot is so powerful and so endearing...it reminds us what a true genius Chaplin was.

• Sarah G

  
  City Lights: "a subtitled "A Comedy Romance in Pantomime," is generally viewed as Charlie Chaplin's greatest film - a "silent film" released three years after the start of the talkies era of sound. The melodramatic film, a combination of pathos, slapstick… More
  City Lights: "a subtitled "A Comedy Romance in Pantomime," is generally viewed as Charlie Chaplin's greatest film - a "silent film" released three years after the start of the talkies era of sound. The melodramatic film, a combination of pathos, slapstick and comedy, was a tribute to the art of body language and pantomime - a lone hold-out against the assault of the talking film. "

• Dean M

  
  Really brilliant Chaplin feature film I ever like so much, a geniuinely hilarious comedy which shows the Charles Chaplin in his happiest and most characteristic moods. I love the final scene that gives me good tears to see the Tramp and blind girl, whose finally can see, reunite… More
  Really brilliant Chaplin feature film I ever like so much, a geniuinely hilarious comedy which shows the Charles Chaplin in his happiest and most characteristic moods. I love the final scene that gives me good tears to see the Tramp and blind girl, whose finally can see, reunite together.

• Michael G

  
  Hilarious and beautiful.

• Dillon L

  
  Besides a touching ending, 'City Lights' just doesn't meet the standards set by some of Chaplin's other works. Still, a good film.

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