DVD Mini Review - Monsieur Verdoux

I wish I had more time to write about Charles Chaplin's brilliant Monsieur Verdoux because there is so much to say but I just don't have the time. So a few words will have to suffice.

This is a dark comedy about a bank clerk who loses his job in the 1930s. The story takes place in France. Monsieur Verdoux (Chaplin) has a family to feed so he must find a way to make money. He decides to "marry" rich, middle aged women and support his family that way. This, of course, is wrong. But as the film points out the number of women he kills is nothing in terms of the number of people who are killed during wars. This message got Chaplin in a lot of trouble back then. But it is certainly a timely one and resonates well in these troubled times.

Chaplin's directing, writing (from an idea by Orson Welles) and acting are all terrific. The film looks great and is in glorious black and white. The supporting cast is also wonderful. Martha Raye is particularly funny as one of Verdoux's potential victims.

I urge you all to see this film and if you already have seen it then see it again. It is going to be on Turner Classic Movies later this summer (I forget when but check their website and set a reminder) and I will certainly tape it for my collection. At some point I hope to be able to come back to this film and write more about it because it is not only great but very important.