Customer Reviews

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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Political films don't get much more powerful or emotional than this. This film is a classic in every sense of the word.

James Stewart is tremendous as a naive Senator faced with corruption in the highest sense. His fight is not just that of one man against a political machine, but a fight of honesty, integrity, and decency verses distortion of the truth, malice, and greed. Director Frank Capra made a very smart choice in Stewart for his leading man. James Stewart can do a number of things well- here he exudes innocence, and then transform that innocence into a mighty dedication to his ideals.
Jean Arthur is fantastic in her role. How she so convincingly pulls off her cold indifference and disillusionment toward politics, I will never know. Her transformation is even more dramatic than Stewart's- as we see hope restored in what she once held so dear.

The filibuster scene is the film's definitive and most famous scene. Here, you have democracy's most dramatic outlet- the minority standing against the majority. Stewart shines in these scenes. Capra's genius allows us to see both sides to the filibuster- the heartfelt pleas and moral lectures, as well as the less glamorous (but very funny) side. The film's finale is great.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a classic American film that will restore some faith in the political system. It is a film that does just about everything right.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is already known as a classic film about American politics. What people sometimes forget is how well it's aged. Sure, it's a black & white film from 1939, but it feels surprisingly modern. The film is pretty sophisticated about how politics is really conducted, but also has a feel-good outcome. I recently re-watched this movie to help explain to my little sister how a filibuster works. It helps to know a bit about politics before watching the movie, or at least know what a filibuster and quorum are. It also raises some interesting political ethics questions (is it right to filibuster a whole bill just to oppose one bad provision), but that's probably beyond the scope of Hollywood.