Comedy is a tough genre to make universal. Differences in language, cultural reference points, experiences and more mean humour can differ greatly across regions. But the comedy of Charlie Chaplin’s The Tramp and Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean translate fantastically across cultures.
In this article, we will look at both character’s international reach. Additionally, we will analyse what makes their comedy so appealing worldwide.
Disclaimer
This analysis is not a defence of Charlie Chaplin’s horrendous crimes; it is merely concerned with the impact of his work.
International Reach
Firstly, how do you measure international success? Well, according to the BBC Mr Bean’s TV show was sold in around, “250 foreign territories,” and garnered, “a slew of international awards.” Additionally, the character’s two feature films collectively grossed over $400 million at the international box office. The films did particularly well across Western Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil.
International box office numbers are harder to find for Chaplin’s films. That said, according to Chaplin biographer David Robinson his first feature film, The Kid, was shown in over 50 countries. With his profile only growing from there. His films received awards in Finland and Japan. He also has an international presence among artists. Figures like Federico Fellini (Italy), Jacques Tati (France), Jackie Chan (Hong Kong), Andrei Tarkovsky (Russia), Satyajit Ray (India), Idrissa Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Emir Kusturica (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Abbas Kiarostami (Iran) and more have praised or been influenced by his work. Thus showcasing his wide reach.
So what attracts audiences to these figures?
Universal Language
The most noticeable answer is their focus on silent physical comedy. Aside from some sparse dialogue both The Tramp and Mr Bean don’t talk. Instead, they rely on facial expressions and body movements to convey personality and the story. Their comedy is also focused more on choreographed slapstick. Audience laughter comes from the character’s exaggerated actions and reactions, the elaborately choreographed situations they find themselves in and the tension felt by audiences seeing more of a comedy setpiece than the characters.
This focus on comedy without words and instead on big displays of emotion and well-timed physical routines allows these figures to cross the language barrier because the focus is on feelings and visual storytelling not on dialogue. Making them more universal.
Relatable
But those qualities can be seen in many silent comedy stars, like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and more. Is there anything unique about The Tramp and Mr Bean? Well, both characters live in relatable worlds. While both characters are played for comedy they also go through situations many of us can relate to. The Tramp is an underdog who comes from poverty. Many people across the world who are underprivileged can relate to the Tramp’s constant struggle to get by. Mr Bean also sources comedy from situations that many of us find familiar. Such as going to the swimming pool and struggling with the high diving platform or being terrified of a horror movie. These situations are relatable to many people across the world which allows us to be more involved with the comedic narrative.
Both are also rather childlike in their demeanour. They wear their emotions openly on their faces in a way that really makes you understand how they are feeling, are often oblivious to adult codes of decorum and conduct and seem to not be aware of the impact their actions might have on the world around them. However importantly their conduct is not done out of pure malice. Both characters feel like they just don’t know any better. Often they both act on impulse with solutions that would only really make sense to a child. They’re both essentially kids in situations everyone knows butting up against the rules of the world. Which is a feeling we all know, regardless of background.
Conclusion
In the end what makes The Tramp and Mr Bean so universal is the fact that they face the same trials as many of us, with an emotional innocence that we all recognise and they speak through their actions instead of words. These elements that speak to all of us are then elevated to the point of absurdity. Allowing us all, regardless of background, to laugh.
