The Rink

The Rink has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and Criterion Channel. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Charlie Chaplin is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Start it on HBO Max Amazon Channel whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Rink earns its spot. The Rink gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. After amusements working in a restaurant, a waiter uses his lunch break to go roller skating. Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It hit screens in 1916. What keeps The Rink from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in The Rink. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Charlie Chaplin sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.

The Rink was released in 1916, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. The full 30-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.