Monsieur Verdoux (One murder makes a villain;
millions, a hero)
Cast: Charlie Chaplin (Director,
Producer, Screenplay writer, Actor – One Man Show)
Monsieur Verdoux (1947) is one of the
movies close to my heart as it is one of the movies where Charlie Chaplin not
only enacted (silent movie) but actually spoke (There are other movies also in
which he spoke like Limelight, Great Dictator and boy he spoke well in these).
Most of us knows about Great Dictator although I would surely write a review of
that movie as well in coming days but Monsieur Verdoux is one of the big time
unknown movies as everybody relates Charlie Chaplin with either Modern Times or
Circus or Gold Rush but the interesting part is that this is one of those
movies for which he received Academy Nomination for Best Screenplay. Now why
Monsieur Verdoux is one of the finest Black n White sound film is because
Charlie Chaplin himself played a cynical man that supports his family by trying
to lure rich women for their money and murdering them (this story is loosely
based on serial killer Henri Landru if you are interested in reading about).
This is a complete end to end entertaining black comedy and you will find the
range of Charlie Chaplin who although is known for his comic timing will show
the other side of his i.e. dark, raunchy side.
Also, Mr. Chaplin has made much
better movies in his later years of acting carrier although those movies were
not recognized this being one of them. Movie begin with Henry Verdoux being
Bank-teller is being laid off and to support his family he turns on the ruinous
path of marrying and murdering wealthy widows. One of the family becomes
suspicious of this in the very beginning but doesn’t have any identity of
Monsieur Verdoux. Throughout the 120 minutes of screen time you will see
Mr. Chaplin running around and trying to lure some more girls. He will also try
to create a drug that can help him killing the person without raising any
suspicion of the them being murdered but them dying of natural causes.
Monsieur Verdoux will meet a girl who
has just lost her husband and has been released from prison on whom he will try
to use the poison but realizing that she had been a devoted wife during the
time her husband was helpless, he will help her with money and food showing his
good side. During the next 30-40 minutes final sequence which I will leave
for you to watch , once Verdoux is captured finally and is being sentenced in the
courtroom , the final speech of his about comparing the murder’s with
the ones that happens during wars ,is stunning and will change your
perspective. Enjoy the movie and share your comments and reviews.
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