Go West

Buster Keaton: The Silent Genius

Nobody disputes Buster Keaton’s place among the giants of American comedy, but his unassuming nature seems to color public appreciation. Chaplin’s exuberant emotionality earns devotion, and Harold Lloyd’s warmth and zany spirit make him someone you would like as a friend. In comparison, Keaton is too cool for school. His deadpan look is crucial in his persona. It might keep people at bay, but you would be missing out on all the expressive, creative use of film language in his movies.