Charlie Chaplin is on a boat.
Divided into two parts, the first half takes place on a boat where immigrants are making their way to the United States. This makes for funny visual gags.
The film itself is incredibly political. The immigrants catch sight of the Statue of Liberty, but are immediately roped off and pushed for actual documentation before they can get on land. This is not a happy story as they next half is titled: "Hungry and Broke".
Chaplin's character meets a female immigrant (Edna Purviance) on the ship and meets her again while grabbing dinner at a restaurant. He finds a coin which is how he planned on paying for dinner, but he discovers that he lost the coin due to a hole in his pocket and more shenanigans ensue as he tries to stall the waiter as long as possible.
Chaplin is a wonderful master of comedy. He is able to handle comedy in subtle ways. There's a moment in which the female immigrant's mother loses her money and he generously gives them his. When I say generously I mean he gives them the money, takes it back to keep some, then gives it back again. It's hilarious.
It did end awkwardly. Chaplin's character forces the female immigrant into marriage. It's meant to be funny, but nowadays it's off putting.
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