Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

hyped garbage

Fantastic!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn't back down. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington showcases what you would should be expecting which is boring conversations, boring characters, boring acting and just a boring and bland movie in general. It's a film that doesn't have anything special about it and yet and i mean yet somehow got inside the Top 250 because it was made in a time when movies were like Space or like imagination never existed at all. (0/10)

A senator suddenly dies and a replacement needs to be named. The other senator for the state, Joseph Paine (Claude Rains), along with Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), his corrupt businessman backer, decide to name a truly surprising candidate, one Jefferson Smith (James Stewart). He's meant to be nothing more than a seat warmer so that Paine and Taylor can push through a new piece of legislation concerning a dam, meant to make them filthy rich. Unfortunately Mr. Smith is something they've rarely seen and are utterly incapable of understanding: a good and honest man. And a boy scout to boot.The film is corny and filled with pathos. Phrases like "the American dream", "truth and honesty", "reliability", and so many like those, get thrown around all the time. Politicians are nothing more than hungry jackal fat cats, aiming to filch the hard-earned pennies of the good American people. True way of life is to be found outside, on the prairies where grass leans on the wind. On the mountains reflected against the noon sun. I could feel my spleen turning red, white and blue as I watched this film.And yet, despite all that, the film is magnificent. Perhaps it's because 'It's a Wonderful Life', another film from director Frank Capra, also stars Stewart, but for some reason or other this film reminds me of Christmas. Because Christmas is also corny and filled with pathos. It is. But it's also the best time of the year. When it's okay to be a bit sentimental. Or a lot sentimental. When it's okay to remind ourselves of the values we all hold dear, but which we usually don't talk about because it's seen as embarrassing.Hopefully people still watch this film. Because even though it's old, and corny, and sentimental, and even a bit silly, it's values, themes and lessons are as relevant today as they were back then. Perhaps even more so.

Mr Smith Goes to Washington is about country boy Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart) who is appointed (not elected) as a senator for Missouri when the incumbent dies in office.Smith has been appointed because he is regarded as the perfect patsy, he knows little and is likely to do what he is told. Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains) the senior senator from Missouri, Governor Hubert Hopper who has appointed him and a shady man called Jim Taylor plan to build a dam in the State and think with Smith on board this will sail through especially as Taylor is a fixer with plenty of politicians in his pocket.As Jefferson knows nothing about the machinations of politicians he arrives in Washington as a greenhorn. He is provided with a cynical secretary Clarissa Saunders (Jean Arthur) to school him on the politics of the capital. Smith admires Paine as an honourable politician who was revered by Jefferson's own father.After some embarrassing mishaps Jefferson plans to build a boy scout camp at the exact same place as where the dam is supposed to go and before long he is mired down in allegations of corruption and pressured to resign.With Clarissa on his side Smith embarks on a long filibuster to save his political life.It is nice to know we have always had political corruption and this film tells us that crooked politicians and political fixers were there eighty years and more ago which still gives the movie political relevancy. I just really did not buy it as a political satire. I think Smith was just too weak and naive although I liked all the cynics surrounding him.The filibuster scene although nicely performed by Stewart becomes overblown and the whole film borders on being rather schmaltzy which was a constant criticism of director Frank Capra.

The film is based on an unpublished story. This is another Capra's "gentleman" who travels to the big city. Mr. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON is the affirmation of idealism ordinary "small" man, benevolent and noble individuals whose actions can and manages to change the world. Director's style is excellent. Mr. Deeds has already won the audience. Mr. Smith is another part of similar stories and themes. Coincidentally, "man of the people" becomes essential. By chance he comes in the opportunity to learn about the disease of society and to a painful, romantic, compelling and always humor bathed in a way defending real human values. Comedy upgraded socio - political ideological segments. American society, like any other is perishable. It is unlikely that this one little man can change. The culmination of this film returns us faith in the true value.James Stewart (Jefferson "Jeff" Smith) is idealistic and honest man who will soon disappoint the world of high politics. Fantastic performance was launched in the stars. His performance was fantastic.Jean Arthur (Clarissa Saunders) is quiet in search of human warmth. The search for something that would change her monotonous everyday life is at times accompanied by sarcasm. I must admit that I really like her acting. Her experience is growing in the climax of the film. It is again a "trigger" of the main character.The story is a playful and dynamic, perhaps a little more symbolic. The picture is excellent. The dialogues in the troubles are good. Romance is definitely late, but the intimate moments of the main characters are very well designed. It's a strange feeling. Almost all my works great, and I'm still not satisfied. Certainly this movie will not be called controversial. Honesty, love and kindness in times of corruption.