My main gripe with films about artists is how it’s shown that they come up with the work. Often the films disregards the process and show the work as coming down all at once. Appearing from the ether fully formed.
This cheapens the work that the artist does. It shows the art as some amazing whole piece, fully created, that occurred to the artist. And it elevates the view of the artist as someone who is super human. Of course, there are plenty of artists and musicians who would happily be described as part divine.
In the Attenborough film Chaplin this is handled much truer to life.
In one scene Chaplin, played by Robert Downey Jr, describes walking into the dressing room and the elements of the costume – the bowler hat, the moustache, the oversized pants, the tight waistcoat, the large shoes – all illuminate, calling out to him. It was a message from the divine. Anthony Hopkins’ character calls him out and says it can’t have happened like that. Chaplin agrees but says that’s what everyone wants to hear.
In truth, Chaplin describes in the aptly titled My Autobiography, those actors were always trying on different outfits and costumes, throwing them on quickly, and heading to the stage. Something about the Tramp’s outfit stuck with Chaplin. There was something more in those clothes and it gave Chaplin ideas for more shorts and feature length films.
The Tramp came from Chaplin constantly playing. And being open to new ideas.
There is work in developing the skills to make something of the ideas when they come. Although that’s not so interesting to watch on screen, it is much more interesting when you’re putting in the hours each day.