Since this movie had a really solid reputation, I was quite eager to check it out. Apparently, this movie was first developed as a sequel to âMr. Deeds Goes to Townâ but since Gary Cooper was not available, they changed the name of the main character and they gave this part to James Stewart who gave here a star-making performance. Indeed, I thought that Stewart was actually more convincing than Cooper to play the pure and innocent Jefferson Smith and you have to give some credit to Stewart who gave a really strong performance here. I also liked the fact that Capra didnât take any gloves to show how corrupted the politicians were in Washington at the time and, in fact, you could say that the situation didnât change much 80 years later. I was also impressed by Jean Arthur who was not only lovely but she managed to give a character who was a strong and smart woman . Still, this movie gave a strange mix between the realism and cynicism displayed by the political world and the idealism and sentimatility displayed by Jefferson Smith and this mix was rather difficult to swallow. Itâs like the ending during which, Smith basically highjacks  the Senate until they would listen to him and the worst thing is that it actually worked as Capra still managed to squeeze a happy-ending which was rushed within the last minutes. Thatâs when the movie felt the most cheesy and outdated in my opinion. Still,  even though I wasnât really a huge fan, it was a decent watch and it is definitely worth a look.Â
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Reviews
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Posted : 8 years, 7 months ago on 11 October 2015 11:15*** This review contains spoilers ***
If anyone asks me why James Stewart is my favourite actor I just say watch the final scene of Mr Smith Goes to Washington. The final scene of this movie is simply of the greatest things I have ever witnessed in any film ever. That may sound like a hyperbole but Iâll never forget the very exact feeling of goosebumps I had when first watching it. Mr Smith Goes to Washington is one of a small handful of films I would call life-changing, one of the films which helped to mold the way I think and ultimately turn me into the person I am today. It encouraged me to be more skeptical, not to believe everything you here and stand for what you believe despite great opposition. Itâs thanks to films like these why cinema is my bible. As much however as Capra is criticised for his films being overly idealist, Mr Smith Goes to Washington does not exactly paint the most glowing picture of the American political system. To quote Thomas Paine (Claude Raines), âThe duty of a true patriot is to protect his country from its governmentâ.
One of my favourite scenes in Mr Smith is that in which Clarissa Saunders (Jean Arthur) attempt to explain to Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) the entire procedure of creating a bill and submitting it to Congress. For starters, the scene is incredibly funny with the comedic timing and Stewartâs childlike reactions. Secondly, itâs a very informative civics lesson and thirdly, this scene shows us how Jefferson Smith acts of the filmâs ambassador the for the average Joe watching film whoâs just as confounded by Sauderâs lecture as Smith is. The scene lays out in an entertaining manner the political hoo-ha for the politically lay; my knowledge on politics was very limited when I first watched Mr Smith Goes to Washington but that wasnât a barrier to being engrossed in the filmâs state of affairs.
This is as good an opportunity as any to raise the question, why is Jean Arthur such a forgotten actress? Despite working with several big-name directors, co-starring with famous actors and appearing in a number of beloved classics, her presence is incredibly overlooked as the definitive urbanite career woman with her wit, warmth, and innocence. Also, that voice! Her role as Saunders is the opposite of Mr Smith. She is cynical, jaded and knows the ins and outs of the system with its corruption and cronyism. It takes Smith, the Americaphille who appears to know more about American history than the people working in Washington to restore faith in her with his childlike optimism and perseverance.
Along with the attack on the American political system, Mr Smith Goes to Washington is just as harsh with its portrayal of the press as a pack of ravenous vultures. The scene in which Smith confronts the reporters in a bar is truly shocking as they flat up tell him about their lack of journalistic ethics as reality hits Smith like a ton of bricks (also among the crowd of reporters if Jack Carson, always a scene-stealer). I just have to question the morals on the part of Smith prior to this scene in which he literally goes around punching reporters in the face although it could be argued this was more of a social norm back then between men.
Another striking monologue is that in which Smithâs mentor Thomas Paine justifies corruption as a comprise in order to achieve good deeds, a process which has existed since the birth democracy as he puts it. As convincing as he might sound at first, through the course of the film you can tell heâs a man who knows heâs sold out on is ideals partially from the complete look of shame which bestows Claude Rainsâ face. Even at the beginning of the film just look at the reaction of Paineâs face when Smith declares âDad used to tell me Joe Paine was the finest man there ever wasâ.
The relationship between Paine and the business mogul James Taylor (Edward Arnold) is like that of The Emperor and Darth Vader. Taylor hovers above Paine only for his conscious to be put to the ultimate test by the end of the film. Taylorâs ability to control the media of Smithâs home state and preventing any of his words from the Senate reaching the state is frightening. I can just be glad that in the age of the internet and mass communication that such control of the narrative isnât as easy as it once was.
Mr Smith Goes to Washington is very snappy and faced paced; with the culmination of some of Hollywoodâs finest character, acting talent helps carry the exposition in an entertaining and at times screwball like manner. The final 30 minutes of the film in which Smith filibusters is one of the greatest things ever caught on celluloid with its immense hair-raising build up to an exhausted, out of breath James Stewart declaring that he will fight for this lost cause, even if this room gets filled with lies like these!
Like other political films to arise from classic Hollywood, no party is mentioned during the film nor do we know what state Smith is from and which he fights so hard for. Those on the modern right could see Mr Smith as a little guy standing up against big government and the Washington elites. By contrast, those on the left can view Smith as a rebel fighting against corporate, capitalist fat cats like James Taylor. Independents could see Smith as someone who stood alone without backing from any party to fight for his beliefs. Like many of Capraâs films, Mr Smith Goes to Washington is hard to place on the political spectrum. Anyone can see what they want to within the film which is part of its enduring power. Â Really, if I ever met someone in elected office, I will be asking them if they have seen this film. Mr Capra and Mr Stewart, thank you for this film.
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington review
Posted : 13 years, 2 months ago on 14 February 2011 01:090 comments, Reply to this entry
Brilliant Capra-Stewart classic!
Posted : 14 years, 3 months ago on 24 January 2010 09:21James Stewart's performance as Jefferson Smith was really awesome because he showed that he is a strong hero in the world of politics despite most of them are out to destroy him. He was rather similar to George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life. Jefferson came from a small town and was then elected as a senator by replacing the previous senator who died. Jefferson doesn't have any children but when you see him in the political business and in the courts he might remind you of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Stewart was an actor who would always play characters that are either inspirations (Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, It's A Wonderful Life) or are just really entertaining with suspense (Rear Window, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much).
Frank Capra's direction of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington was a lot like It's A Wonderful Life but was different as well (if you get what I mean) because they are both very different stories but with similar sort of feelings between them. He also brought that awesome feel-good feeling towards It Happened One Night as well. He is the legend for inspiring films and it is that simple and nobody will be able to take that away from him. After Hitchcock and Kubrick as favourite directors of the past, Capra comes along and takes that spot.
This isn't my favourite Frank Capra film. Out of the three I have seen so far, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is the least best from Capra. I prefer It's A Wonderful Life and It Happened One Night more. This is another legendary performance from Jimmy Stewart but his best performance is still It's A Wonderful Life. I would probably call this film my favourite political film so far and is one of the top films of the early days of cinema that were the 1930s. Masterpiece!! It is a story that a lot of people would understand and a story that a lot of people wouldn't because of the political theme of the film and the events that occur and the consequences that the characters come across. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is a certain recommended film to people who love classics.
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Deservedly a classic. Unmissable!
Posted : 16 years ago on 21 April 2008 08:18Frank Capra is a man with an impressive résumé; he directed some true classics during his career, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is certainly one of his best. The film is deservedly a classic; an uplifting experience that boasts some truly groundbreaking perspectives.
As the film opens we are informed that a senator has died and a replacement is necessary. While searching for a candidate they come across an honourable, modest man named Jefferson Smith (Stewart). Smith is a man who has nothing but the upmost respect for politics and politicians. Smith also runs the Boy Rangers, is respected by the boys around him, and has just heroically put out a forest fire. And so he is chosen as a senator in Washington. At first awe-struck by the historic merits of his surroundings; but as he begins getting settled in, Smith finds nothing but corruption and crime in the highest levels of government. Smith is highly inexperienced but finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians who are out to destroy him and expel him of his powerful position.
The plot is simple but brilliant. The concept of portraying political corruption was unheard of at the time. The film especially emphasizes the cynicism present in some politicians who will go to great lengths to cover something up. It will probably never be proved if such corruption exists, but the perspectives are made believable.
But one aspect that is most admirably highlighted is what politics can do to a man. Claude Rains delivers a poignant speech that points out what happens to a man when they enter politics; ideals are changed and their sense of individuality diminishes. And he admires Mr. Smith because he does his best to defend his ideals that still firmly exist.
The expansive production design looks outstanding. Most of the film's budget must have gone into the realistic Senate set where most of the action takes place. The set looks fantastic, real and believable. There appears to be no difference between the set and the real thing.
One thing that I discovered while watching the movie was a number of minor technical faults. There are several jarring edits that are sometimes obvious; despite this the material is always so strong and highlighted by a dynamic performance from James Stewart that is bursting with energy. Stewart's performance can't be faulted and he was nominated for an Oscar. He is supported by a host of outstanding co-stars. Jean Arthur was particularly memorable as someone who shows firm support in Mr. Smith. And of course Claude Rains was another unforgettable actor who helps carry the film. Stewart was already enough to keep me engaged; thankfully the rest of the cast maintain this high level of talent.
Because the film turns into a Senatorial debate for about the final 30 minutes there always had to be something that keeps the audience interested. The whole thing is staged very well and moves at a brisk pace; carried by the magnificent actors and the passionate directing from Frank Capra. The film builds up to an exhilarating climax.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a timeless classic and a cinematic triumph; it's unforgettable, powerful and moving. Not to be missed.
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