Review of Meet John Doe (1941) by Kevin M. W — 17 Aug 2014

Capra, with his immigrant's love of the American dream, can easily be criticized as sometimes syrupy but never as simplistic. Here he grapples with no less than updating the tale of the Christ, making a modern day fable (well, as modern as 1941) of one guy sacrificing himself for the greater whole of humanity.

Coop is great as the simple man drawn into corruption and seeking redemption. Walter Brennan shines as his friend, a crazy homeless guy and the sanest man in the film, James Gleason is perfect as the common sense common man, and Barbara Stanwyck lights the proceedings as the too smart regular gal, unaware that she needs saving as much as anyone.

Just fine, nuanced filmmaking!