|
|
Rating:  - One of the all-time American cinematic classics and gems!
Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are absolutely stunning and captivating in this longtime, highly rated American film classic. It is a great 'David vs. Goliath' story about corrupt men and politics, and how an honest 'small guy' surmounts all odds to reveal the corrupt and criminal political machine in his home state. I was moved to tears during this great film, of course knowing in the back of my mind how the United States *IS* becoming more corrupt and undemocratic, given the major 'conflicts of interest' in organizations like our FDA (for example, big pharma execs sitting in on the board there, instead of impartial scientists), or the many political lobbyists 'whoring' themselves and their vested interests to our politicians who have seemed to forget the most important needs of the American people! The message of political corruption in "MSGTW" is more relevant than ever in today's America on so many fronts. Just a GREAT, entertaining, riveting film that moves along perfectly, and shows how advanced great storytelling and film-craft was even back in 1939!!! Frank Capra was one of the best, ever. A 'must own' for your American movie classics collection!
Rating:  - After 70 years, this Stereotyped Movie Really Isn't Very Good
If I was a U.S. senator, which thankfully I'm not, I'd be appalled by the characterization. Every senator (except for Jefferson Smith) is portrayed as a corrupt, petty windbag. The senate floor is inundated with overanimated children (literally) who seem to control the proceedings. The president of the senate is constantly giggling at Smith's antics and appears to be the only senator sympathetic to Mr. Smith's cause. Apparently Mr. Smith's dad wasn't much of a judge of character in his assessment of the corrupt Mr. Payne. I don't have a high opinion of politicians, but if the real ones are anything like the portrayal here, we'd be in a lot of trouble.
Rating: - Po;itis Today??
I thorughly enjoyed this film simply because it is in direct opposition to the ongoing politcs of today. Mr. Smith's character certainly reminds me of Senator Barack Obama's on going character assination.
Rating: - Capra challenges America
Jefferson Smith is the quintessential naïve, honest hero that Stewart played in his early years. Smith fills an unexpired US Senate seat as the result of a coin toss. Ignorant of the games that Washington plays, he assumes that that his job is to represent the folks at home passionately and honestly. Like Don Quixote, Smith tilts windmills: he stands up against the corrupt Senator Joseph Harrison Paine and wins. Cynical critics of Frank Capra derisively called his work "Capra-corn." The key question to ask at the end of the movie is whether Smith is too simple minded and naïve to survive in the real world, or if the cynics are the fools for giving up on the honesty and faith that led the Founding Fathers to create the noble experiment which is America. Jean Arthur is a charm as the hard boiled blonde who is captivated by the innocent Smith and recaptures the faith in the goodness of people that she's lost in Washington. Capra movies are empowering. Like most Capra movies, "Mr. Smith" illustrates that it is ultimately we who are responsible for the world around us. The film won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Rating: - Great Movie, Poor DVD!
This is a timeless movie that ages pretty well for a 70-year-old film. The story line is still so relevant today about innocence lost and about the underdog defying all odds and who can resist a good David v Goliath story anyway? The script is excellent and so is the acting from the brilliant cast and this movie showed me just how good an actor James Stewart was. This movie is about 2 hours long but you don't feel it as it moves along at a nice pace and is so riveting as well.
The only thing I don't like about the dvd is the poor visual and sound quality which is in the original mono. Many patches of imperfection is present in the video and seeing as how Disney was able to upgrade "Snow White" which is an even older film to Dolby Digital 5.1, at least this option should have been available on this dvd as well. In addition, the special features are sparse with only a few trailers and a very short "Frank Capra, Jr. Remembers" piece and a commentary by the same as content.
Hopefully, a newer, digitally remastered both visually and audiowise version will be released soon. Otherwise, contentwise, this is a very good movie and like a true classic should be will stand many repeat viewings without getting stale.
|
|