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Parents' Guide to

Chaplin

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Bio of comic legend falls short of greatness.

Movie PG-13 1993 135 minutes
Chaplin Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Animejack
Animejack Adult
April 20, 2021
age 18+

Chaplin is a classic, an amazing film taking after the comic a really engaging film that makes you feel like your related to Charlie..... although the the nudity is far too underrated I personally think it’s just a tiny step under a porno the full female body is shown tits at the dressing room are way way way too bad for a 13 year old I think it should have a 18+ rating

Don’t watch it with minors (amazing film though)

This title has:

Great role models
Too much sex
Mixevn
Mixevn Adult
March 5, 2021
age 12+

Profanity-gd word used several times

I was enjoying the movie however one criteria for a movie is that the Lord’s name is not used inappropriately. The language category does not mention the use of gd but it is there. I stopped the movie at that point.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

This sweeping biopic follows the great comedic figure's life as told by an elderly Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr.) to the editor of his autobiography (Anthony Hopkins). Eventually making his way to America, using his pratfalls and vaudeville comedic acts to impress producers, viewers see how Charlie Chaplin became the world's biggest star before he reached 30 years of age. But as he ages in the movie, Chaplin is haunted by the feeling that his work was never truly worthwhile. When he sticks his neck out politically, making a spoof of Adolf Hitler in The Great Dictator, he catches the unwanted attention of the head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), who eventually engineered the artist's exile.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (4 ):

Though Robert Downey Jr.'s age-defying portrayal of the comic genius is spot-on, the overall movie meanders vaguely through the actor's life. Scenes depicting the depression years and Chaplin's return to London border on schmaltz. But the last scene, where an elderly Chaplin accepts an honorary Academy Award, ends the movie with dignity. See this one if you are a fan of Robert Downey Jr., but if you like Charlie Chaplin, you might prefer seeing his own movies instead.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to be famous. How did Charlie's life change from his days in London to those in Hollywood? How did the public react when he expressed his political views? Was he unfairly targeted? How did he use humor to raise awareness? How is that done today?

Movie Details

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