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Wednesday Movie - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Jefferson Smith isn’t literally a boy scout. Figuratively though, he’s a bright-eyed, principled young man who loves his country, and who stands up for people. What people? Well, people who need people to stand up for them. Those people. Oh, and he’s also the leader of a youth adventure club.

After the death of an elderly senator, Mr. Smith is chosen to take a seat in the US Senate. Sure, he’s a patriot and an all around good guy, but the real reason for this appointment comes from the belief that Smith will be a non-entity—that he’ll vote how he’s told to vote and otherwise simply fill a seat. Smith enters Washington aglow, dazzled by his luck in having a hands-on part in the democratic process; humbled by the monuments and the legacies of past presidents. But his good nature is preyed upon as he runs afoul of the press and refuses to follow along with a coterie of crooked senators. When his dream bill for a boys’ camp runs contrary to the plans of the local industry kingpin, Smith must overcome a smear campaign and convince both the senate and his entire state that it’s he who’s honest and the system that’s corrupt.

This probably sounds very cute, very movie-of-the-week, and I’ll admit that it came off that way while the premise was establishing itself. But soon enough, the movie started working for me. It was heartbreaking and inspiring in all the right parts. There’s a filibuster that takes up the last third of the movie, and while it didn’t quite have me on the edge of my seat, I was totally compelled. In retrospect, the movie worked for two reasons. First, because it was chock full of humble patriotism—not the belligerent, flag waving, we’re number one kind, but rather the hand-over-heart, agape with awe, we’re so lucky type. Second, Jimmy Stewart sells it. He sells it so damn well that even when the dialogue gets a little hokey you believe every word because he sounds like he’s torn right open.

It’s also an educational film, and not coincidentally either; it often becomes apparent that the machinery of government is being explained to you. This is how a bill becomes a law. This is what’s called a ‘filibuster’ and here’s how it works. I mean, I need these kind of things because I’m an idiot, but after a while it started reminding me of Schoolhouse Rock. "Oh, I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only a bill. And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill."

And let me end with a tangential shout out to Claude Rains. Along with Casablanca and The Wolfman, this is the third movie I’ve now seen him in. He’s not a guy with the legacy of Stewart or Bogart, so it makes me feel well-versed in classic film to have seen and recognized him so many times. That said, I would guess I’ve seen maybe thirty-five black and white films to date, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t all that impressive. Anyhow, that’s a tangent off the first tangent. What I wanted to say was that I’m a big Claude Rains fan. That guy’s the shit.

Comments

Anonymous said…
You've also seen him in Lawrence of Arabia. A masterful display of scene-stealing.
Anonymous said…
I haven't seen this movie yet.
It's on my list of movies to see.

Great review, manus.
Omeaux said…
And Flash Gordon was there
In silver underwear
Claude Rains was The Invisible Man

There is magic in old film, as there is magic in pseudo-gothi-sex musicals that reminds us of the masters and their art.
Anonymous said…
Jason, you really shouldn't contribute when you're on drugs.
kris said…
Do you think Paul Newman would have been a good choice for the lead if the movie had been made years later?
kris said…
Crickets.

Dave is clearly pining away boozing somewhere because Jorge is camping.

Single cricket.
Anonymous said…
Holy crap, I'm finally caught up.
Alright... some comments from some of your past two months of entries:

Rich, Famous and Beautiful
Diggin' it.

Hero or Sidekick - June 20th
I'd rather be the hero, though methinks I'd make a rather shy/withdrawn one. I think of sidekicks, and they so often seem secondary/afterthoughish/unappealing.
Indifferent Man!

Porn Name - July 4th
Alright... since my name would be Katy Mitchell, which right sucks for a man's name, I'm gonna veto that silly method and come up with an arbitrary one of my own: first male pet's name and the street upon which you lived with said pet.
This would render my porn name Champ St. Johns.
Much better.

Trip to Michigan - July 7th/10th
1) I'm afraid any time you tell us that Sarah looks good, we will require photographic evidence. And to a lesser degree, the same thing applies to you.

2) Don't tell Alex you dissed Michigan and Michigan...ians, cuz he's from there originally and still has family there, and will bust a cap in your ass. Or he won't at all, but that sounds less threatening.

3) Seriously, what's the deal with The Hand? That route looks like a hand like a constellation looks like an animal. Which brings to mind it looks much more like a Dipper. They should call it The Dipper. "What part of the Dipper you come from?" they could ask. "Mid-handle," the reply may be. Yes, that works much better. Alex, please infom Michigan of the change.

One regret from the past - July 11th
A split which may have some crossover:
Not picking up on some female interest in high school, then finally picking up on it from one bad choice...
Anonymous said…
WOw.
At least Reay comments on your blog.
Albeit in a lazy-ass way.

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