Directed by:
Frank CapraScreenplay:
Sidney BuchmanCinematography:
Joseph WalkerComposer:
Dimitri TiomkinCast:
Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Astrid Allwyn (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
When naive Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is chosen to replace a recently deceased senator, he heads for Washington full of idealistic dreams of serving his country, looking forward to working with his idol: senior senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). Upon his arrival, he is ridiculed in the press for his gullibility, but with the aid of his secretary, Saunders (Jean Arthur), he begins to realise that the world of politics is a cut-throat one full of double dealing. When he discovers that Paine is working on a scheme for a new dam which will only profit him and his cronies, Smith sets out to expose the man he formerly idolised. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (2)
After the truly amazing Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, I was expecting another exceptionally strong and, given the sharper critical subject matter, more valuable film. I didn’t get exactly that. While Capra once again masterfully handles a barrage of unprecedentedly intelligent and subtly humorous dialogue, he almost imperceptibly incorporates a compelling love plot into the crucial political action, and his hero, the idealistic and immensely convincing James Stewart, becomes the prototype of sympathy and cinematic goodness as the minutes pass. Unfortunately, while the magical Mr.Deeds was globally accessible in his ideas, Mr.Smith is incredibly pathetic and oozes arrogant American patriotism, which Capra, however impressively, further inflames with the sentimentality of some of the visual montages or monologues (e.g. the boy reading Lincoln's speech carved in stone while a certain veteran proudly nods behind his back). It's still a compelling and timely story, but its heroic nature and rather half-hearted depiction of the good guys and the bad guys left me a little disappointed. 80%
()
An incredible film about how it's possible to hold onto ideals. Yes, in some respects, the film may seem naive, but other scenes beautifully illustrate how it's possible to achieve what not the individual, but those in power, the ruling group, want. James Stewart delivers an incredible performance, as always, but others also shine alongside him. Everything is complemented by a great screenplay and excellent direction by Frank Capra. An amazing drama that basically isn't made anymore these days. And yes, sometimes you’re just glad that it ends differently than you thought.
()