The Secret to Silence by Aoife Hughes

The Secret to Silence by Aoife Hughes

still from City Lights

           Unlike any romantic comedy I have ever seen before, City Lights, Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 blockbuster movie, is a master class in silent film. From scene one it was more of a challenge to watch, purely because of the polar difference between films produced and released in this decade and those from the mid 20^th century. The question regarding how emotion would be conveyed without words was asked early on in discussion of the film. However emotion and thoughts of the characters were interlaced seamlessly through the story to make sure of a good watching experience for the audience.

             Virginia Cherrill, who played the role of the blind flower girl, shows incredible skill and ability in portraying her thoughts without any words understood by the audience. An interesting dynamic to the role of the blind flower girl is that alongside being blind, the  film is silent, meaning that neither the sense of sight or hearing is used by Cherrill’s character in the film. However, close ups on her face, along with body language and occasional text cards to display words and thoughts that were impossible to do so without them, made the blind flower girl’s role interesting, and even at points relatable. Cherrill’s acting should be credited greatly for her ability in this film to depict such a complex character.

            City Lights will forever be recognized as one of the greatest movies ever made because of the skill required to execute such a complex plot with so little communication through words.