Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

What Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) lacks in experience, he more than makes up for in idealism.  In Frank Capra's classic Mr. Smith goes to Washington full of conviction, morals and good will only to be greeted by political corruption and greed.  After an bill he introduces causes exposes a pork-barrel bill that will make other senator's constiuents wealthy, Mr Smith because the target of an evil smear campaign.  Building to a filibuster on the floor, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a grand testimony to idealism.  One almost wishes that Capra's drama could be required viewing for government servants.  We'd all be well-served to hear Mr. Smith's diatribe on the senate floor.

James Stewart plays Smith with a refreshing authenticity.  In contrast stands Claude Rains as seasoned, i.e., corrupted Senator Paine.  The two battle in very different ways, but as this is a Capra film we all know how it will end.  Supporting characters include Jean Arthur who has a terrific turn as a Capitol Hill secretary.

In this cynical modern time in which we live, its hard for this viewer to commiserate with Mr. Smith.  While the gentleman is the embodiment of the hope we all feel when we first cast a vote or write our congressman, it is too easy to be disenfranchised with the current state of affairs.  It's very nearly depressing.

Production wise, the film looks great.  Tightly edited, the scenes of our nation's capital convey the ideology of Mr. Smith wonderfully.  The lighting in these keys scenes work to draw your eye to particular passages of our nation's documents.

As I see it, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is best viewed with sentimentality.  It works more as a historical or period piece.  Compared to modern cinematic politcal works, this film is too mild and meek.  Then again, perhaps that falls on me, the viewer.  As Miss Saunders states 'maybe being jaded isn't such a good idea all the time.'