The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: Modern Times (1936)

How is one of the defining figures of early comedy? You have Buster Keaton. You have Harold Lloyd. You have Laurel & Hardy. But then you have Charlie Chaplin. “The Tramp” is one of the most iconic and important characters ever created in film. The hat. The shoes. The jacket. The moustache. The walk. Everything about this character is hilarious and perfect which just reinforces the comedic genius of Chaplin. There are so many great films like The Kid, The Circus, The Gold Rush, and more. One of the most important comedies that Chaplin ever created is 1936’s Modern Times. 

What makes this such a significant comedy? There are so many great moments in this film that are impressive comedic set-up and set pieces. The film focuses on the evolution of technology in the workplace (at least to start). There are a few hilarious gags that are introduced in the workplace. First off, the wrenching of bolts on the conveyor belt. The way that speed, physicality, and repetition are leveraged for humor is great. The Tramp is caught in this repetition and soon begins twisting people’s noses and buttons which is hilarious and fun. Then the invention of the machine feeder will keep workers going. The way it smashes food into Chaplin’s face and whips his face sets up for some great physical comedy from Chaplin, especially his facial expressions. The most iconic element from inside the factory is when Chaplin rides the gears inside the giant machine. The visual of someone getting caught in gears and getting battered around by them is clever and fun. There are plenty of other fun gags throughout, but these ones are the most iconic for sure. 

But why is this film so fun? Chaplin himself is the key. The physicality of Chaplin’s performance (and all his performances) makes for so much potential. The facial expressions alone with put a smile on your face. The exaggerated anguish of being bombarded by food. The exaggerated struggle with keeping up with the work pace. In the more romantic sequences of the film, you get his mastery of his facial expressions being leveraged to attract his romance partner in fun ways. But Chaplin acts with his whole body. When you see the giant face of his boss confronting his in the bathroom, Chaplin’s whole body jumps in a hilarious and big way which brings some authentic laughs. Towards the end of the film, Chaplin even gets to do some singing and dancing that is both charming and funny. Chaplin is someone who would bring every bit of his energy into a role. He never phoned it in on screen. Modern Times is a great example of his comedic range. 

But Modern Times is not just another comedy, is it? There are so many thematic layers to this wonderful film. The factory sequences might be filled with physical comedy perfection but there is so much going on as well. The ever-watching video screens (even in the bathroom) that an employer could use to harass their employees is an uncomfortable and Orwellian concern. The use of funds and R&D to find ways to make employees work more and more without having to take breaks is highlighting unethical and anti-worker and pro-capitalism. The visual of Chaplin getting sucked up into the machine and running in the gears reinforces the scary idea of humans being transformed into mere cogs in the greater capitalistic machine. You even see a march and protest going on to rebuke the working conditions in the factories. Chaplin was always an openly opinionated creator, and his more socialist perspectives can be read loud and clear. What is even more poignant is that so much of the messaging of Modern Times can be leveraged in 2025 as well.

Why is this one of Chaplin’s most important films? Modern Times is an incredible comedy that offers up iconic slapstick moments, but it also has plenty to say which makes it a film that transcends time. You will have plenty of laughs as well as get charmed by some of the more romantic moments as well. But the commentary keeps this film relevant today. Artificial intelligence is a tsunami that will change it all. The industrial revolution was one such culture shift that changed life at the time in great ways but also terrible ways. Chaplin had his finger on the pulse of society and made the most of that in Modern Times.