The genius of Buster Keaton

[Emiliano]

Glad you like him too Emiliano. He stands head and shoulders above Chaplin in my opinion.

I think Chaplin was a genius too. Even though they are grouped together, I think they were doing two totally different things. Chaplin was all about pulling the audience in, kind of exploring the humanity of a situation. Keaton was more surreal, reminding the audience they are watching a film - his like special effects and film tricks were ahead of his time. And his dead pan delivery, t least to me, is more about exploring the absurdity of the situation. At least that's my take on it.

It's a shame Keaton didn't keep his creative control though, and he has a pretty sad personal life too. It would have been cool to see what else he would have pioneered had things gone differently.

Have you ever seen Limelight?