Fresh
Perfection? Arguably not; Verdoux has clunky moments and some flat casting, but with an able assist from the great comedian Martha Raye, Chaplin's latter-day greatness is readily apparent.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
Monsieur Verdoux
Chaplin changes! Can you?
1947 · 2h 4m · Approved
Comedy, Crime, Drama
Directed by
Charlie Chaplin
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Monsieur Verdoux
Overview
The film is about an unemployed banker, Henri Verdoux, and his sociopathic methods of attaining income. While being both loyal and competent in his work, Verdoux has been laid-off. To make money for his wife and child, he marries wealthy widows and then murders them. His crime spree eventually works against him when two particular widows break his normal routine.
Director and cast
- Charlie Chaplin Director
- Charlie Chaplin as Henri Verdoux
- Mady Correll as Mona Verdoux
- Allison Roddan as Peter Verdoux
- Robert Lewis as Maurice Bottello
- Audrey Betz as Martha Bottello
- Martha Raye as Annabella Bonheur
- Ada May as Annette, Annabella's maid
- Isobel Elsom as Marie Grosnay
- Marjorie Bennett as Marie's Maid
- Helene Heigh as Yvonne La Salle, Marie's friend
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Monsieur Verdoux is the spirit of modernity taken to its darkest extreme. It may be immortal.
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Fresh
In its uncanny depiction of a weakling whose crimes pale against those of the war-mad society around him, it's a near masterpiece.
Sara Cardace, New York Magazine/Vulture
Fresh
An engrossingly wry and paradoxical film, screamingly funny in places, sentimental in others, sometimes slow and devoted to an unusually serious and sobering argument.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fresh
A film of serene elegance and sharp teeth.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
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