Review of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) by Ryan H — 09 Sep 2016

The quintessential films that shows how much Frank Capra loves America. At the same time he realizes there are problems within the political system. These are problems that we can fix and he just wants to see America become a country everyone can love without corruption.

From many directors this would have felt preachy or cheesy, but Capra seems to know where all the right notes are. His belief in his country reminds me of the way Aaron Sorkin speaks of it now in his films (look at the opening of The Newsroom for a perfect example).

This story is simple: Jefferson Smith takes a seat in the senate even though he has no prior experience in politics, but Jim Taylor wants a clueless pushover to take over the spot of a senator that has just died.

Senator Paine, who was an old friend of Jefferson's father, takes the other seat in the Senate for their state. Jefferson is naive and hopeful. He knows he can't do much, but at least he would like to start a camp for boys in his state.

Unfortunately this camp resides in the same place that Jim Taylor wants to build a dam. Jefferson's first taste of cruelty in politics is when he speaks to the press and they jumble all of his words and make him out to be a goon.

He retaliates by trying to find each reporter and punching their lights out. But Mr. Smith, that's just the way it goes. Saunders wants to help him out, but he's just a little boy who doesn't know what he's doing.

But his sincere beliefs of course win her over. When Jefferson discovers that Senator Paine set up a date for him just so that he wouldn't be there to hear about the dam bill he decides it's time to fight back once again, just like he did with the reporters, only this time it's more serious.

There's corruption with the big business man, Jim Taylor. How can a man that makes choices so that his stocks go up have a voice in the senate? He only cares about money, not what's best for the public.

But since he has so much money and influence, Taylor's almost impossible to fight. Saunders helps Jefferson fight by creating a filibuster. Once he has a voice in the senate and is allowed to speak he has the right to speak until he yields or sits back down.

So what does he do? Read everything possible, speak about the constitution, and everything possible in order to restore his image and stop Jim Taylor from corrupting his state. Of course you know how it's going to end: the filibuster will get everyone's attention, he will win his case, and he and Saunders will end up together.

But the heart that flows through this film and genuine belief in the American political system is refreshing. Capra shows the problems without being too negative. As Jeff Daniels said in The Newsroom, this country used to be great and it can be once again.