Limelight

Drama | English | 137 minutes

Info

Calvero, once a famous stage performer, is now a washed-up alcoholic. One day he rescues Terry, a beautiful ballerina, who attempted suicide. Slowly, Calvero nurses her back to health. Grateful, Terry process marriage. Calvero rejects her saying he’s too old. He urges Terry to pursue Ernest Neville, a young friend and talented composer. Terry, fully recovered, persuades Calvero to join her onstage at a benefit concert. Reunited with an old partner, Buster Keaton, Calvero’s comeback performance is going great. Tragically, Calvero has a heart attack while performing but requests to remain offstage to watch Terry dance. Sadly, while Terry is performing, Calvero dies.

Cast

Charlie Chaplin (Calvero) /

Claire Bloom (Terry) / Buster Keaton (Calvero’s vaudeville partner) / Sydney Chaplin (Ernest Neville)

Why Stream This Film?

Because many in 1952 felt that Chaplin was a Communist sympathizer, the film originally failed commercially. When it was re-released in 1972, it was regarded as Chaplin’s best and most personal films. It is currently considered a film masterpiece with an avid cult following.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 97%
Metacritic Score: 57

Accolades

Academy Awards: Best Original Dramatic Score (Charlie Chaplin)
BAFTA Awards: Wanneer, Most Promising Newcomer (Claire Bloom)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Nominated, Best Actor (Charlie Chaplin); Best Director (Charlie Chaplin)

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