Review # 4
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (list
number 26)
For the first time in a long time I am
purely speechless. So to avoid making this sound as though is was
written by Doge I'm gonna keep it short and sweet.
Much Smith
Very Washington
Wow
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington's”
plot is fairly straightforward: good guy, through a contrived set of
circumstances, winds up in the last place you'd ever expect while the
bad guys scramble to keep him in his place. Of course the bad guys
fail, because this was made in 1939 and it was practically illegal
for anything else to happen. Oh, and the good guy gets the girl, but
I'm sure you would have figured that one out yourself (again, 1939).
The acting was good, considering
overacting seems to have been commonplace back in the day. Of course
Jimmy Stewart was great as the honest-to-a-fault Jefferson Smith, and
though he could have carried the movie by himself, the supporting
cast of characters were both written and performed well enough to
compliment the lead. That being said, what struck me most about this
film wasn't the acting but the timelessness of the story and it's
message: always stand up for what is right, even to your detriment.
I'm gonna stop here to avoid getting
on my soapbox, as this movie strikes a cord with my political
beliefs.
Story: 2.5/3
-the central plot of Jefferson Smith vs
the Establishment is wonderful; his romance on the side is not. I
find it far too cliché, though I only take half a point because it
wasn't quite as overdone as some other movies I've seen.
Acting: 2.5/3
-Excellent, because Jimmy Stewart.
Music: 1/1
-Not overbearing, so I'm cool with it.
Tone: 2/2
-The David and Goliath hopelessness
wasn't overbearing, and though you know Smith has to ultimately
succeed (see 1939), it wasn't so obvious that you'll feel the urge to
walk away from it.
Production value: 1/1
-Well done. There's nothing I can say
bad about it.
After effect: 1/1
-I walked away feeling inspired to take
on the machine and set the world right again, so I guess I'll have to
award full points.
Total: 10/11
Translated to the ten point scale
that's a 9.1, putting it up and over the requirement I have set
for movies to be allowed in my 'Top 100' list.
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