The film The Last Laugh tells the story of the demotion of a doorman at a swank hotel to the position of bathroom attendant. Using the techniques of expressionist cinema, the film tries to capture the doorman's point of view, his "subjective truth."
Is this film successful? Is this man's story worthy of such a treatment? Is this the tragedy of the common man (like "Death of a Salesman") or is this just a story "full of sound and fury signifying nothing"?
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Yes, this film is successful in capturing the plight of the working class. There are many techniques used to draw sympathy from the audience for the main character. The reason management gives him about why he is being demoted is because of his age and health. This draws pity, because the rich people in the hotel management perceive their employees as mere objects to serve their purposes rather than human beings. Therefore, when their use has run out, they dispense of them and find another person of the mass proletariat to replace their employees. We also feel sympathy, because the people who fired him are completely unaware of the implications of their actions. Since, he was demoted to the shameful position of bathroom attendant, his friends at the tenant where he lives mock him, while his family ignores him in shame. His seclusion and isolation draws compassion, because no one in the movie cares for him, with the exception of the night watchman. The separation can also draw feelings of empathy for him. As a result this film is successful in depicting a tragedy of a common man (well until the ending, when he miraculously inherited a fortune and is spending his money at the hotel is used to work for. What an ending!)
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