Charlie Chaplin, one of the most enduring figures of silent film, is known as a Renaissance man; he wrote, directed, produced, edited, composed music for, and starred in most of his productions. His films, often featuring the kindhearted character The Tramp, mixed physical comedy with pathos, creating poignant works that deftly navigated a variety of tones. Chaplin’s influence both in front of and behind the camera looms large in writer, director, editor, and star Angie Lin’s charming and tragicomic silent short Cost of Joy.
The film follows Lin’s character Angie, a woman who is determined to end her own life – but the universe seems to have other plans. She tries one method of suicide after another, only to be foiled time and again in a series of slapstick moments and absurdity. Eventually, Angie’s resilience forces contemplation, and she begins to find hope and even joy in the wake of despair.
Cost of Joy is a loving and overt homage to the silent film era, filled with allusions from the title font to the decision to make the film black and white. Jaunty piano music, nicely chosen by music supervisor Craig Pilo, is another welcome throwback and underscores the humor present even in the most tragic of moments. The cinematography (Allan Natividad Dizon) is precise, deliberate and well-choreographed camera movements serving to heighten and bolster Angie’s emotional state.
Angie’s story is endearing, a touching meditation on all that life has to offer that strikes a lovely balance between comedy and tragedy. The film’s charm and signature style are clear from the first seconds, though the plot takes a little time to materialize; as a silent film, the narrative is tracked by its emotional beats rather than script-driven drama. This fluidity allows for bold creative choices that further draw the audience in. As Angie reaches a breaking point, she flops onto a couch, her back to the camera; the music fades out and she sits in silence for nearly a minute, forcing her and the audience to ponder what’s led her there.
Lin’s winsome performance drives the film, expressive and endlessly watchable. She literally throws herself into the role, her full-bodied physicality an ideal vehicle for the film’s instances of farcical comedy. In the absence of dialogue, Lin’s face, perfectly framed by blunt bangs and shoulder-length hair, is wonderfully revealing, allowing the audience to join her on every step of her emotional journey. Brimming with rage or effervescent with childlike wonder, she is captivating.
Cost of Joy ultimately uses classic style and a sublime performance to deliver a heartwarming message of hope inside a slapstick dark comedy.
