X
- 1952
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 17 m
- 1952
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 17 m
Summary A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find purpose and hope in their lives.
Directed By: Charles Chaplin
Written By: Charles Chaplin
- 1952
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 17 m
- 1952
- Approved
- United Artists
- 2 h 17 m
Limelight
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Where to Watch
Summary A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find purpose and hope in their lives.
Directed By: Charles Chaplin
Written By: Charles Chaplin
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
84
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
84
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Few cinema artists have delved into their own lives and emotions with such ruthlessness and with such moving results.
Charles Chaplin’s 1952 film is overlong, visually flat, episodically constructed, and a masterpiece—it isn’t “cinema” on any terms but Chaplin’s own, but those are high terms indeed.
Although it was not quite his last film, there can be little doubt that Limelight was Charlie Chaplin’s farewell. It is also probably his most personal, revealing film.
In one truly magic moment, Buster Keaton – who had fallen on hard times and was largely forgotten – joins Calvero for his final gala performance. It is a cinematic meeting to be cherished and makes up for the maudlin and wordy melodrama that precedes it.
It's a verbose, technically creaky work, both sentimental and self-indulgent, and never very funny except for a brilliant scene with Chaplin and Buster Keaton as a disaster-prone musical duo. However, there are sublime, deeply affecting moments and for those who think Chaplin one of the key figures of 20th-century popular culture, it is a crucial movie.
In short, everything that sounds potentially magnificent about Limelight disappoints, while the aspect that sounds potentially dreary—Chaplin playing earnest life coach to a sickly ballerina—works like a charm. The man was full of surprises.
Chaplin's sentimental and high-minded view of theatre and himself.
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Production Company
Charles Chaplin Productions
Release Date Oct 23, 1952
Duration 2 h 17 m
Rating Approved
Tagline It will move you to love, laughter and tears
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
• 2 Nominations
