Chaplin's masterpiece about the bittersweet romance between an aging, washed-up comedienne and the suicidal ballet dancer he rescues and takes under his wing is one of the greatest dramas I have ever seen. It's a marvelous turn by Chaplin, who also directed, wrote the story and composed the score. Claire Bloom is simply wonderful as Chaplin's despondent lover. Also notable is the singular teaming of the two Silent Era greats, Chaplin and Buster Keaton, who appears late in the film. The striking backstage story just gets better and better as it goes on, and every moment of the film is utterly worth it. When it comes the its heartbreaking crescendo of love, comedy, drama and one last give-it-your-all chance to shine in the spotlight, only the dourest of viewers could fail to shed a tear.

"Limelight" is not Charlie Chaplin's last film, but definitely the one that served as his farewell. It's a bittersweet, tremendously old-fashioned film that could have been as well a piece of theatre, but that despite his obvious flaws and schmaltzy philosophy deserves a place in every film lover's library, especially if considered in relation with Charlie Chaplin's persona.

Faded comedian Calvero seems to be inspired by Chaplin's father, an artist who also lost his audience due to alcohol abuse. It's not a coincidence that the Edwardian London setting corresponds with the places and theatres Chaplin used to hang out in his childhood. Calvero also shares more than one thing in common with 63 years old Chaplin, ostracized by Hollywood for his political views and left behind by his audience as his humor had become outmoded.

Calvero is a self-destructive man who had hit rock bottom countless times; however, he is the one to inspire optimism for the future to the young generation, represented by the hopeless and suicidal ballerina Terry. The relationship between the two seems to mirror Chaplin's taste for much younger women, but as the film goes on, he seems to be self-aware that it's time to hand over the rein to the next generation of men and artists (Neville).

Honestly, I would have loved a more realistic ending, as Calvero's sudden triumphant return felt a bit unnatural, but I guess that a truly tragic outcome would not serve the film's philosophy. There is also a narcissistic tendency to glorify Chaplin's persona and art life that personally made him feel even more distant. His routines drag on for too long, and don't serve the plot much if not to show that Calvero is, in fact, not that funny anymore.

All in all, "Limelight" is still a classic worth watching, but I am not sure I would have appreciated it as much if it was directed and performed by another comedian. Still impressive how he always manages to direct, write, perform, and score everything by himself.