This film, presented as a look back at his own life story, is a visually appealing and educational portrayal of the iconic movie star. He’s reflecting on his autobiography, and as he revisits his past, we see him move from his childhood in Edwardian London to his arrival in America where he achieved stardom with Keystone Studios and created the beloved "Tramp" character—a figure who deeply connected with a population increasingly struggling financially. Robert Downey Jnr is believable as the central figure, capturing much of the eccentricity – along with some self-centeredness – that defined this person. Geraldine Chaplin, his actual daughter, provides a moving, though limited, performance and the meticulousness regarding costumes and sets is noteworthy. However, despite the challenge Richard Attenborough faced in compressing eighty-eight years of this fascinating life into a single movie, the selected moments often lean towards the more sensational aspects rather than showcasing his artistic brilliance. The initial scenes, which had the potential to show how his experiences in the workhouse shaped the values that would guide him—are rushed over too quickly (possibly because there wasn’t an opportunity for Downey?). The focus on the McCarthy era and related FBI intrigue is engaging, but ultimately, for me, this feels more about the legend than the man himself, which is disappointing. The other actors do a decent job – John Thaw as his mentor “Karno” and Dan Aykroyd are particularly good, and it does pass by relatively quickly considering its nearly two-and-a-half-hour length. I appreciate Attenborough's ambition to fit so much into a limited timeframe, but perhaps the task was simply too great—to truly do justice to this complicated, mysterious, charming, ruthless, and humorous individual.

Source on TMDB