Chaplin offers viewers a fascinating look at the early years of cinema. Robert Downey Jr. is endearing, charismatic and unhinged, just like Charlie was in real life. From the beginning we see that Chaplin was destined for the limelight when his mother was booed off the stage and he finished his song, prompting a standing ovation. From then on we see how this rags to riches story came to life. He started out as a supporting actor in many films before emerging as a silent film star. He insists that he can be a good director and the studio owner let him, having some reservations about it. However, Charlie turned out to be a born screenwriter and director. He was very meticulous with every aspect of the film, which sometimes hurt his personal life. We see Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr.) spending hours, even days, on scenes to make sure they are perfect. Chaplin allowed us to see that while Charlie was an incredibly successful and influential person on the outside, on the inside he was broken and waging a war against himself, which affected many of his feelings.