Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Mar 18, 2026 4/5

a loving tribute, a passion project tribute to a fondly remembered star of yesterday which somehow launched the biggest star of today...

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Thom Geier AARP Movies for Grownups Mar 29, 2024 4/5

Richard Attenborough’s biopic can be formulaic, but Downey nails Chaplin’s all-over-London accent (sometimes Cockney, sometimes posh) and his gift for sidesplitting slapstick.

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Steve Warren Southern Voice (Atlanta) May 9, 2023

Personalities fly by, mostly in cameos, to heighten the sense that you're getting a lot of dish, but Chaplin feels more like a lesson than an entertainment; yet it doesn't teach us much. If you want to understand Charlie Chaplin, watch his movies.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jan 24, 2023 2/4

...a fairly standard biopic that remains wholly unable to capture (and sustain) the viewer’s interest...

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Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Dec 25, 2022 3.5/5

There's no denying that Robert Downey Jr. turns in a stellar performance but Chaplin plays it too much by the numbers.

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Grant Watson Fiction Machine Jun 4, 2021 6/10

Chaplin remains a broadly effective and enjoyable film because of its stunning cast.

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Vanessa Letts The Spectator Jul 24, 2018

What is stunningly good about Chaplin, despite the script, is the central performance by Robert Downey Jr.

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Malcolm L. Johnson Hartford Courant May 2, 2018

Robert Downey, Jr.'s performance in extreme youth and decrepitude carries Attenborough's vainglorious project through scene after sketchy scene.

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Anthony Lane Independent on Sunday Jan 3, 2018

Downey has a perfect ear for the Chaplin accent, the way it climbed from Cockney to minced posh, and a perfect boot and fist for the slapstick; the one thing he doesn't have is an eye on his own brilliance.

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Scott Nash Three Movie Buffs Sep 25, 2012 2.5/4

Might be of interest to fans of the great comic, but as entertainment it ultimately fails.

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Sep 7, 2011 D+

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 16, 2011 C

Robert Downey Jr. gives a strong, Oscar-nominated performance, but Attenborough's disappointingly formulaic biopic doesn't capture Chaplin's genius as artist or his complex life

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Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Dec 4, 2008 3.5/5

It's a loving and often endearing homage to a man, but as with all things Hollywood, it ain't history

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Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Oct 16, 2008

The movie was clearly made with a lot of love, and it has one deciding factor that sells it: Robert Downey Jr.

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Angie Errigo Empire Magazine Feb 27, 2008 3/5

For all the movie's undisputed competence, grand and inspired moments are thin on the ground.

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Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter Feb 27, 2008

With this reverential biopic, director Richard Attenborough has cranked out a many-reel, talky talkie.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Feb 27, 2008

A lot of loving care (but not much thought) went into this white elephant, and considering how fascinating a figure Chaplin is it's never exactly boring, but your time would be much better spent looking at any of Chaplin's pictures.

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Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Feb 21, 2008 5/5

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Neil Cohen Echo Magazine Jul 29, 2007 2/5

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John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Feb 5, 2007 4/5

Robert Downey enhales Chaplin's Autobiography and wears the Little Tramp's persona effectively

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