Countess From Hong Kong
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Movie Reviews of Countess From Hong Kong
Movie Review: Chaplin's Last and Possibly Least
Summary: 2 Stars
Chaplin's final film is alternately a beautiful and meditative love story, and an old-fashioned (in the worst sense of the word) film that shows the limits of its director's abilities.
The lead performances depend on the direction that Chaplin was able to provide. In some scenes, Brando manages to mimic Chaplin perfectly, and it works. In other scenes, he still mimics Chaplin, but the result is less effective. (As a devout Method actor, Brando repeatedly clashed with Chaplin, whose directorial style consisted of having the actors mimic his movements and delivery exactly). Sophia Loren is well-cast as the former Russian countess-turned-dance hall girl who stows away with the newly-appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Brando). Aside from a major error in Chaplin's script (that is, that Loren's character is supposed to have left Russia in the revolution of 1917, which would make her character quite a bit older than she is), Loren plays the role with a comic grace that is both captivating and charming. The supporting cast have their moments: Sydney Chaplin as Brando's friend and advisor, Tippi Hedren as his estranged wife, Margaret Rutherford, in a delightful cameo as an elderly passenger aboard the ocean liner, and in a particularly memorable standout performance, Patrick Cargill as Brando's valet. Cargill shows a gift for comic timing and understated delivery here that makes the viewer wish he had been given more opportunities to demonstrate his talent. He nearly walks away with every scene he's in, and remains perhaps the most memorable part of the film.
Chaplin's use of color and widescreen is appropriately understated in keeping with his style. However, it is in Chaplin's direction that we begin to see the limits of his filmmaking ability, at least in his later works. The cinematography is appropriately understated; however, it is in the editing that the pace of the film begins to bog down. Scenes requiring a frantic pace are edited entirely too slow, losing much of the comic rhythm between the performers. Many scenes are played out in single, long takes, without much interaction between the performers within the frame (they instead appear to have been instructed to stay "on their mark" and deliver their dialog).
Perhaps the film's most memorable aspect is its lush orchestral score composed by Chaplin, and featuring the great "This is My Song", which re-appears throughout the film. Chaplin's abilities as a composer at this point had perhaps outmeasured his abilities as a filmmaker, and-fortunately for future audiences-he spent the next decade composing scores to his silent features of the 1920s.
Universal's DVD of "A Countess from Hong Kong" is an excellent transfer in anamorphic widescreen. The colors are rich and the image sharp. It boasts a clear mono soundtrack, and features a trailer as an extra.
Movie Review: Chaplin's final Feature film and easily his worst
Summary: 2 Stars
Countess From Hong Kong(1967) is Charlie Chaplin's final directorial feature and a rather sad swan song to such a magnificent career. The film is an outdated romantic farce about how a son of a succesful tycoon(Marlon Brando) finds a beautiful stowaway in the form of Sophia Loren, who he met in China and now finds aboard a ship with him. A romance develops, though you won't believe it. Obviously, both actors are excellent but are VERY miscast and add to the discomfort of viewing the picture as a whole.
Brando cannot seem to capture the nuances of romantic/screwball comedy and is totally out of league in a role clearly intended for a Cary Grant, David Niven or even a Rock Hudson. His character comes across as cold and unfunny throughout and never gains audience sympathy.
Loren looks gorgeous, like usual,but seems out of place in the role of the naive Countess. She does have a nice scene in a sarong, but that's about all that could be reccomended from her in this picture.
Charlie makes a cameo appearance as a steward, but it is too little and not enough. Tis a shame, because this film really could have used a true comedian.
Compared to many of the sex comedies this film feels antiquated and dosen't even have the charm of the earlier films it wishes to emulate. This is one worth skipping.
Movie Review: Down for the Count
Summary: 2 Stars
What could go wrong with a movie written and directed by Charles Chaplin starring Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren? Well, everything. The plot may have had some possibilities but none of it emerged with any coherancy. There were scenes that were supposed to be funny but were merely embarassing (consider the scene with the cigar smoke and ask yourself, Why?). The acting was uninspired and that's hard to say about Marlon Brando. I was disappointed in everyone although I understood Chaplin's purpose; he spotlighted his offspring although they were uninspiring as well. Even the two songs he composed for the movie were played too much. I'll continue to watch other works of Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando because I know what they're capable of. Unfortunately, "The Countess from Hong Kong" has shown me what else they're capable of.Movie Review: This is the Chaplin film to avoid....
Summary: 2 Stars
This film is not without some merit, but overall, it's pretty disappointing, considering it's a Charlie Chaplin film. Out of Chaplin's five sound films, this is the one to avoid. It seems Mr. Chaplin was trying to put Marlon Brando in a role Chaplin himself would have performed in his heyday. But Chaplin was obviously too old to play the tramp (he was 77 when he made this), so he put Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren through the antics. There are a few funny moments, a lot of doors slamming, some nice humanistic touches, but most of it just seems tired. The supporting performances are very subpar, the editing is quite awkward, and the atmosphere of the film is almost dirge like. A rather sad experience, especially if you're a Chaplin fan. It's not the worst film ever made, but it's very disappointing....Movie Review: Another review
Summary: 2 Stars
I see there's several reviews already for this film, but here goes my two cents worth. Even though this is Chaplin's last film, it's his first and only film in color and widescreen. The movie is old fashion to say the least, it might of been better in b/w. Brando and Loren are completely wasted, the supporting players fair much better. Chaplin is quite good in his cameo role (makes you wish he'd given himself a bigger part). At the time, Chaplin took the negative reviews as almost a personal threat. He really defended the film, even going so far as to say he thought it was the best film he ever made! However several years later he admitted it wasn't very good, he said the actors where great but the story was really thin.