References to statutory rape.> Imagine being Geraldine Chaplin starring in a movie about her dad committing statutory rape.This movie has been on my radar since I was first seriously getting into movies back in middle school. I think it was mainly due to hearing that Robert Downey Jr. did serious movies before the MCU. I never tracked it down because, despite hearing how great RDJ is, I heard about its dullness. I decided to watch it for three reasons:
1) RDJ's performance.
2) Dan Aykroyd.
3) My friend's review intrigued me.
To quote my friend's review, "It was insanely boring, ridiculously long, and its tone failed to match the severity of many situations." They said it perfectly, because there is so much here that doesn't work.
This movie feels like you sat down for a nearly three-hour-long lecture with an aging, monotone professor reading off a summary on slides. Most of these slides are filled with paragraph upon paragraph of information that doesn't lead to any critical discussion around Chaplin's reputation aside from a footnote; at least it's occasionally spruced up by out-of-place transitions.
I didn't get anything out of this, aside from some appreciation for its costumes, sets, and performances. RDJ is great in this movie; it felt like Charlie Chaplin possessed him. Aykroyd is fun, Moira Kelly is a truly underappreciated actress, Geraldine Chaplin is fun, and other parts from Anthony Hopkins, James Woods, and Marisa Tomei.
Unfortunately, the pacing drags so much. I was reminding myself of Spike Lee's 'Malcolm X,' a great biopic that follows the life of a historical figure. What works about that movie, but not this, was how that pacing makes each moment feel important while keeping in all the essential moments of Malcolm X's life. My friend also pointed out that the end summaries are more interesting than the movie itself. Each scene goes on too long, and that tonal confusion makes it hard to emotionally relate to (that and the statutory rape that was fairly sidelined).
I respect Chaplin as an artist, and I do also acknowledge that he is scum. I don't mind them addressing his relationships; in fact, I'm glad that they even acknowledged the ages of the women he married. Unfortunately, the female character never has much development and is sidelined. The most they talk about statutory rape is a throwaway line by J Edgar Hoover, but otherwise, they barely try to acknowledge it. This results in the movie feeling more like a circle jerk appreciation of Chaplin's persona, while just lightly acknowledging any concerns the audience may have.
It feels incredibly safe, formulaic, dull, and forgettable. The only thing I will remember is the terrifying old man makeup that RDJ has at the end.
