(1923)
4
Craig Butler
A Woman of Paris is a startlingly effective drama, and not at all what one expects from a Charles Chaplin film. Granted, Chaplin is not a performer in the film (a tiny cameo appearance aside), but he did write, direct, produce and even score the film, and it is a treasure. Granted, the passage of time has made portions of it somewhat melodramatic; most viewers have seen "wronged woman" tales many times since this one appeared in 1923. But Chaplin's handling of the material is still so expert that most will overlook the excesses of the story. Chaplin, working with cinematographers Rollie Totheroh and Jack Wilson, has created a beautiful visual palette. It's simple in its cinematic flourishes, but has a visual consistency and an unerring eye for camera placement that is as surprising as it is lovely. Chaplin is also blessed with an incandescent performance from his leading lady, Edna Purviance, and an irresistible one from Adolphe Menjou as the roué who "keeps" her. Purviance's work is delicate and surefooted, nuanced yet still capable of filling the screen in the "silent movie" manner. Her range of emotions and the sense of subtext that she conveys is invaluable to Woman's success. As her true love, Carl Miller is a bit wan, but not damagingly so. The ending is remarkably satisfying and demonstrates Chaplin's exceptional skill in this film.
cast-crew for A Woman of Paris on AllMovie
A Woman of Paris (1923)
