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That's the reaction of "the blind girl" (Virginia Cherrill) at the possibility of regaining her sight. Not to watch the wonders of nature or read a book, but to be able to see the man that has been so kind with her and that she feels she loves. That is part of the premise behind City Lights, one of Charlie Chaplin's most popular and iconic films.
The film follows Chaplin, in his role of "The Tramp", as he falls in love with the girl. Knowing her struggles, he makes an effort to help her. This includes buying her groceries, but also trying to seek help for her blindness. All this is interspersed with the Tramp's relationship with a millionaire (Harry Myers) that is his "best friend" when he's drunk, but doesn't remember him when he's sober.
As is the case with a lot of Chaplin films, most of what happens with the Tramp might feel like separate skits connected by whatever the story is. City Lights is not very different, but the main story behind feels a bit more cohesive than other of his films. Even the bits with the millionaire, which some people might consider to be the more peripheral, still feels fairly well connected to the main story between the Tramp and the girl.
Also, most of the different sequences and setpieces are fun. The most notable is probably when the Tramp is lured into a boxing match to split the money. The way that Chaplin uses the score and the fight/dance choreography is quite magical AND funny. There were a couple of funny scenes where the millionaire takes the Tramp to a party that were really effective as well.
But just like Chaplin did with The Kid, The Great Dictator, or even A Dog's Life, the beauty of his films is in how much heart and charm he injects into the story and the relationships within it. This is evident all through the film, but reaches its peak in the very last scene (after a somewhat bleak epilogue). I had read a lot of people singing praises about this film, but that very last scene was a true eye opener so yes, I can see now.
Grade:
CITY LIGHTS
(1931, Chaplin)
(1931, Chaplin)
"Wonderful! Then I'll be able to see you."
That's the reaction of "the blind girl" (Virginia Cherrill) at the possibility of regaining her sight. Not to watch the wonders of nature or read a book, but to be able to see the man that has been so kind with her and that she feels she loves. That is part of the premise behind City Lights, one of Charlie Chaplin's most popular and iconic films.
The film follows Chaplin, in his role of "The Tramp", as he falls in love with the girl. Knowing her struggles, he makes an effort to help her. This includes buying her groceries, but also trying to seek help for her blindness. All this is interspersed with the Tramp's relationship with a millionaire (Harry Myers) that is his "best friend" when he's drunk, but doesn't remember him when he's sober.
As is the case with a lot of Chaplin films, most of what happens with the Tramp might feel like separate skits connected by whatever the story is. City Lights is not very different, but the main story behind feels a bit more cohesive than other of his films. Even the bits with the millionaire, which some people might consider to be the more peripheral, still feels fairly well connected to the main story between the Tramp and the girl.
Also, most of the different sequences and setpieces are fun. The most notable is probably when the Tramp is lured into a boxing match to split the money. The way that Chaplin uses the score and the fight/dance choreography is quite magical AND funny. There were a couple of funny scenes where the millionaire takes the Tramp to a party that were really effective as well.
But just like Chaplin did with The Kid, The Great Dictator, or even A Dog's Life, the beauty of his films is in how much heart and charm he injects into the story and the relationships within it. This is evident all through the film, but reaches its peak in the very last scene (after a somewhat bleak epilogue). I had read a lot of people singing praises about this film, but that very last scene was a true eye opener so yes, I can see now.
Grade: