A Countess from Hong Kong

source: A Countess from Hong Kong

Trailer—A Countess from Hong Kong

A Countess from Hong Kong

Here is a movie on which everyone agrees -- critics, movie fans, studio publicity flacks and even cinema managers. We all agree that with a story and screenplay by Charles Chaplin and stars of the caliber of Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Sydney Chaplin and Patrick Cargill, it should have been much, much funnier. The problem is that Brando is not a particularly good comedian. The role is well outside his range. He is glum when he should be effervescent, introspective when he should be outgoing, stolid instead of devil-may-care. Sophia Loren can play comedies -- and play them well -- but here she seems to be misdirected. Worse, there is obviously little chemistry between the leads, and that undermines the movie too. True, there are still one or two amusing moments, but the best scenes are delivered by newcomer Patrick Cargill and -- in an all too-brief cameo -- Chaplin himself.

Many people have regarded Charlie Chaplin's final film with some scorn, but I didn't find "A Countess from Hong Kong" so bad. True, this seems fairly lame from the man who brought us "The Great Dictator", but it's passable. Marlon Brando plays an American hoping to be an ambassador, who happens upon ex-countess Sophia Loren in Hong Kong, and she wants to return to the United States with him. In a way, the cast members seem to be sort of stumbling through their roles. Maybe such a routine plot isn't quite fitting for the people starring in this movie. Still, Brando and Loren do bring a certain charm to the flick: he's the uptight dude, she's the pretty woman looking for someone in life. Anyway, this may be just a way to pass time, but it's still OK. Also starring Sydney Chaplin, Tippi Hedren and Patrick Cargill.

This is a good movie if you like old-fashioned, 50's style, bedroom farce, romantic comedies. Unfortunately, it was made in 1967 when films for adults were much more direct about sexuality, so this one was already out of date when it was released. It's a bit of nostalgia, but fun. What I liked the most when I saw this on video last night was the fact that Sophia Loren, who by today's standards would be considered almost obese, was admired for her womanly shape, wit, grace and intelligence. She is absolutely stunning even when she wears Marlon Brando's character's pajamas. This is Charles Chaplin's last film and I enjoyed his characteristic soundtrack music. It's filmed as a play with only a few sets.

Not as dull as I was lead to believe... Brando is miscast, he seems to have participated as favour to the legendary Chaplin. (Chaplin shouldn´t have asked him. Maybe the stuffy Sydney Chaplin would have been better in the lead...) Sophia is a trouper, jumping out of chairs, pretending to be sick... very kind of her to sink to that level... Again, it must have been the honour of having been chosen by Chaplin... The story has potential as a romantic comedy but the film is a bit too long and slow with the sometimes funny jokes far between... Very interesting to see though, with many interesting side characters like the butler Hudson, Tippi Hedren from "The Birds" in a thankless role as the chilly wife, granddaughter Geraldine Chaplin in a bit part and the very underrated Angela Scoular as the society girl who steals the entire movie... The film must have seemed quite dated when it was released in the restless sixties. Worth checking out...

It is gratifying to see such understanding reviews! This film was savaged at the time it was released, partly because it was considered old fashioned, but partly also because Chaplin's reputation and entire artistic legacy were under attack from reactionary critics. The negative view of this movie as a "bomb" persisted for decades. I recommend producer Jerry Epstein's book of memoirs, "Remembering Charlie", for an enlightening description of the process of making this film and its aftermath. The book goes on to give a haunting description of Chaplin's unfinished final film, "The Freak." It is a pity he could not make it.