drqshadow

Kind of a middle ground for an evolving Charlie Chaplin, caught between the limited one and two-reel comedies of his early fame and the story conscious full-length features that would characterize his later career. _The Pilgrim_ runs about fifty minutes, with a ubiquitous plot driving all the action, but still leaves plenty of time for silly asides and long-form physical riffs. Chaplin plays an escaped convict who'#39;s swapped his conspicuous striped attire for a minister'#39;s jacket and collar, and is then accidentally adopted as a rural congregation'#39;s new preacher on his way to skip town. Most of the comedy keys on the faux-pastor'#39;s cringey efforts to fit in, or his nervous attempts to dance away from pursuing lawmen without arousing suspicion, but these story constraints often feel like they'#39;re holding the comedy back. Far and away, the best bit is a long, try-to-be-polite confrontation with an overbearing little boy at a parishioner'#39;s tea party. There, the pervasive urge to avoid rocking the boat leads him to soak up all manner of abuse, as his raging temper simmers behind a polite smile and passive '#34;boys will be boys'#34; pats on the head. Feels even shorter than it actually is.