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| The Tramp may be in over his head |
Starring Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell
Produced by Lone Star Corporation
The tramp is resting outside of a mission when he is drawn in by the beautiful music of the congregation. He decides to reform from his criminal ways and sees an opening on the local police force. His first assignment? Easy Street, a lawless slum in a constant state of brawling. Can the diminutive tramp bring order to the chaos and win the hand of the pretty reformer?
Easy Street is my favorite Chaplin film yet. First, it has a great plot. Watching the tramp move from would-be criminal to reformed citizen to police officer provides some great comedic moments, but also some unsentimental social commentary. There are small touches throughout. Charlie sheepishly returning the collection plate he was about to steal. Catching a poor, hungry woman stealing food and, rather than arrest her, stealing more for her. Pinning his badge to the overworked father. There is also a surprisingly unflinching look at a character's drug use as well as moments of domestic violence.
The centerpiece of the movie rests on the antagonism between Chaplin's policeman and Campbell's bully. There is an amazing long take (complete with a tracking shot) of the tramp's arrival on Easy Street, the bully's threatening attitude toward him and the criminal's ultimate comeuppance. Just when the seriousness and grittiness of a moment becomes too much, a lamp post bends as though made of rubber and the audience can laugh and smile again. The movie does an amazing job of balancing these various themes and moods.
I also loved Campbell's scene in the police station. He was presented as a menacing figure before that, but when he breaks out of his handcuffs and begins tearing through the station, he becomes a force of nature. It's preposterous and funny, but it also communicates a real sense of the danger Charlie faces later.
While it may have been nice to see a more expansive setting, the small confines of Easy Street help us track all of the action in the last third of the film. Chaplin is being chased by Campbell throughout the block and we always have a sense of where the characters are and where the exits may be. The chase is very inventive and, as with many Chaplin films, like something out of a Warner Brothers cartoon come to life.
Chaplin's progression from vagabound to respected hero is my favorite of his tales to date. I love watching his growth as an artist and can't wait to get to the features later in his career. I recommend this one (and it's only 24 minutes which is the length of a sitcom sans commercials).
Watched on NetFlix Watch Instantly
Photo from Clown Ministry
