"Wouldn't it be wonderful if they let us live and be happy again?"

Rating: 9/10 (22 September 2014)

Thought-provoking satire, brilliant at times, with memorable performances from a great cast. Drags a little in the middle but not enough to kill the pace. This was Charlie Chaplin's first full talkie. He plays dual roles and does a good job in both. Paulette Goddard has one of her most likable parts here ("Gee...ain't I cute?"). I'm not the biggest fan of hers but she is admittedly endearing in this picture and will likely win over most viewers like she did me. Excellent support from Jack Oakie, Henry Daniell, Reginald Gardiner, and many more. It's a funny movie but not a knee-slapper. The most powerful parts of the film, the parts that I think have made it such a classic, are the more serious parts. The famous speech scene near the end is something everyone should see. One of those moments where a movie can be something profound. That this movie was made when it was is all the more impressive. It's a time capsule in some ways but with a message that still resonates today.