Popular reviews

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  Review by Will McGrew ★★★★ 1

  When it comes to Charlie Chaplin, the thing that has always impressed me above all else is his ability to take simple sight gags and make them carry thematic resonance to the rest of the narrative. For instance, there is a scene here where The Tramp is waiting in line for a job. He keeps trying to make his way to the counter where the jobs are dispensed. Again and again, the burlier men muscle him out of the way, ultimately leaving him jobless and hungry. In the next scene, we see Scraps the dog being viciously attacked by a pack of mongrels. Chaplin is saying that the life of disadvantaged humans is not fundamentally different from the life of a dog. Both are subject to the whims of those more powerful than themselves, both desire amiable companionship, and both all too often go hungry. It is a lovely little film, arguably Chaplin's first masterpiece.

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  Review by ScreeningNotes ★★★

  "When dreams come true."

  Charlie Chaplin is the only filmmaker I know capable of motivating me to actively seek out movies which are older now than I may ever live to become. Something about the little details he gives all his characters, like when the Tramp surreptitiously steals a sausage and then goes back for a bit of dipping sauce. Something about the way he understands humanity and grounds his comedy in a deep sympathy created from fundamentally relatable conflicts like finding something to eat and getting a job and falling in love. Something about the way he whacks himself in the face.

  Also, I think Charlie Chaplin unintentionally inspired the internet with this film. So much cuteness.

  Charlie Chaplin | Best of its Year

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  Review by Richard Chandler ★★★★ 4

  "If you smile and wink, they'll buy a drink."

  After a personally and financially rewarding two-year relationship with the Mutual Film Corporation, Charlie Chaplin had but one more industry stop before co-founding the renegade United Artists Corporation—signing an eight-picture deal with First National Exhibitors' Circuit for the inconceivable sum of a million dollars (that's nearly $21 million in 2021 bucks according to an online inflation calculator).

  Chaplin's initial First National effort was the endearing three-reeler A Dog's Life, wherein the Tramp eludes two lowlife cops by deftly navigating a rotted fence near his makeshift home before rescuing his adorable canine co-star Scraps from a literal dogpile. The tender yet wily duo then form an alliance based on purloined foodstuffs and…

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  Review by AbandonChimp ★★★★ 4

  Per imdb.com:

  The dog in this film, Scraps (real name Mut), became so attached to Charles Chaplin during filming that when Chaplin went on a Liberty Bond tour immediately after production, the dog died three weeks later of a supposed broken heart.

  THERE IS NO GOD.

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  Review by JBird ★★★★

  The tail of Charlie and Dog,
  Surviving through city slog.
  Avoiding handcuffs,
  Makes life real ruff,
  When not able to use dialogue.

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  Review by Neil Bahadur ★★★★★ 1

  Chaplin's finest short film. In few movies does the world feel crueler than this one....

  Actually this was the first film of Chaplin's I ever saw, at a Village Museum when I was 8 years old! Revisiting it now I wonder how I could have possibly reacted so strongly to such a melancholy work. Chaplin now with more freedom than ever in his contract with First National makes essentially a feature-film in 30 minutes, and in many ways this is far more condensed and concise than CC's future work. Also, in it's avoidance of overt melodrama (though never a problem in Chaplin) there is very surprising sophistication - a moment can be equally hysterical and horrifying: Edna Purviance's (giving probably…

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  Review by shookone ★★★★½

  tells in less than 40 minutes and without sound more about the paradox of life - to have to let the tragedy stand next to the comedy - than any fancy new age, new whimsical attempts of the genre could ever bring to the screen in recent decades. as usual, Chaplins mix of the naive, innocent charms and clownish anarchism is key.

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  Review by Mario ❄️☃️🎄 ★★★½ 2

  Such a good boy <3
  Charlie Chaplin Ranked

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  Review by Neil Bahadur ★★★★★

  Certainly Chaplin's most sophisticated work up to this point, opening with its brilliant intercutting of the life of an animal with the life of a homeless man. One can see why Eisenstein liked Chaplin so much - there's actually more of the Chaplin of here than Griffith at all in Strike, for instance. That comparative intercutting does cease for something more traditional throughout, but it nevertheless informs the entire film with everything from running from police, looking for work and losing out to the bigger guy/thing/etc, robbery and even sex work. Technically the Tramp should lose out on everything, go and die in a ditch, etc, given the circumstances. But he and his beau win in the end because the…

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  Review by Virenn ★★★½

  Classic Chaplin!

  I really liked 'A Dog's Life' by Charlie Chaplin. It's a funny and heartwarming movie with Chaplin playing a lovable tramp and his cute dog. The film’s simplicity is it’s charm.

  Charlie Chaplin's ability to make us laugh and feel for his character, even in tough times, is truly impressive. The movie's message of resilience and finding happiness in the little things is something we can all relate to. 

  It made me smile and laugh, but there are even more fantastic Chaplin films out there!

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  Review by JoshuaCaine ★★★½

  It's astonishing how much you can delve into the world of film through Charlie Chaplin. His presence on screen is truly enchanting, capable of transporting viewers to another time. The way he captivates audiences and transcends the limitations of a 1918 film is remarkable, especially considering the quality of other films from that era, because there were some honkers. Chaplin's talent is truly extraordinary.

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  Review by TajLV ★★★★

  This short is notable not only for its skillful use of trained animals but also for some of the best sight gags in Charlie Chaplin's repertiore. You've never seen anyone stuff so many pastries in his mouth, escape from a cop by rolling back and forth beneath a fence, or recover a stolen wallet full of cash like Charlie Chaplin. Look for Edna Purviance as the bar singer who flirts with the Tramp, Syd Chaplin (Charlie's half brother) as the lunch-wagon owner, and Minnie Chaplin (Syd's real-life wife) as the Dance-Hall Dramatic Lady.