There are some people who subscribe to the notion that silent films are horribly outdated, and the emotions that they express ultimately end up feeling false. While that might be true for some films, The Kid is a notable exception. It's Charlie Chaplin at his most vulnerable, and his emotionally honest performance feels as relevant today as it did 90 years ago. He stars in his trademark role of the Little Tramp, who takes in a young orphaned boy played by Jackie Coogan. The pair bond, and it's heartbreaking to watch the little boy torn away from his surrogate father. Chaplin's face is remarkably expressive, and the helpless, tortured look he gives the boy while being held back by a pair of policemen sticks with you. In a way, both his performance and that of Jackie Coogan serve as a blueprint for modern screen acting, and proof that emotions don't require words to affect the audience.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
