Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Frank Capra
Starring:	Jean Arthur, James Stewart
Release date:	22 February, 2000
List price:	~~$27.95~~
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Average rating: Stars

They don't write stories like this anymore

The United States Congress, as it is portrayed in Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, is perverted from its original system of representative assembly to one of self-interested career politicians. Rather than the Senators acting on behalf of their constituents' desires or best interests, they have turned the Senate into a sort of club where their primary concern is remaining in power. Like the being in the grandest of the Elks lodges, where smoking cigars and drinking cognac is the order of the day, Senators are quick to ally themselves with the political machines that can offer them security by manipulating the political system. Any legislation or action by the Senate is considered through the filter of how it will affect them. Legislation, therefore, that may benefit the people but harm the politician or the political machine will not pass. This is certainly a negative portrayal, but nevertheless one that many people see today in the real U.S. Congress.

As a mid-session emergency appointment, Jefferson Smith joins the Senators in Capra's Congress. Smith is not a politician and has never held a political office, and he does not immediately see the corruption surrounding him, but he believes in the aspirations and ideals of the U.S. founding fathers. With high hopes of serving his constituents to the best of his ability, Senator Smith begins to learn the hard way that the other Senators and the political machines will not allow his altruistic aims to interfere with their plans. Despite setbacks and frustration throughout his efforts, Smith is determined to push the Senate to act in the way he thinks it is supposed to, with the desires and the greatest benefit of the constituency as their primary concern. Those who are skeptical of his efforts, jaded by all they have seen in corrupt politics, like Dizzy the reporter and Saunders the secretary, are eventually won over by Smith. This is a testament that it is not too late to change things, and when Smith is finally beaten down by the corrupt system, it is those people whom he has converted that support him.

For all the ideals that Smith has, Senator Joseph Paine is an example of a politician who has given up on those ideals for the sake of continuing to survive as a politician. The Machiavellian Paine follows the directives of the political machines rather than his constituents under the premise that he can do no good for his people if he does not remain in power. When Smith, the son of Paine's deceased dearest friend, begins to threaten the machine, Paine chooses to defend the corruption rather than help Smith and lose the machine's support for his re-election. Though Paine tries to destroy Smith, he too is eventually turned in the end by Smith's passion and patriotism. Jim Taylor, the machine boss, is the embodiment of corruption and greed and the particular special interest featured in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Taylor uses his power to persuade politicians like Paine to follow the course of action that will benefit him the most, rather than that of their constituents. Besides controlling politicians, Taylor controls the media as well, ensuring a regulated flow of information that will favor the political machine.

Ultimately, the power concentrated in the special interests reduces the sovereign power of the people, possibly culminating in a society more like an aristocracy than a republic. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is not as much a cautionary tale against aristocratic encroachment as it is about a critique on the abuses of modern democracy. The U.S. government is a careful construct of counterbalancing laws, establishing checks and balances, in an effort to create a stable, functional and flexible system. Among the myriad of rules and checks, there are great opportunities for the government to provide for the wellbeing of the citizens, but, as Capra has brought to light, great opportunities for corruption. Capra chooses to portray the ability of those put into power to pervert this system to suit their own needs, not to exemplify Congress as a rule, but as a backdrop to contrast the virtue and values of Jefferson Smith. Capra is leaving his audience with a clear message that they must decide from this point on whether they are going to actively choose people such as Smith to represent them as it was intended or if they will allow special interests like Taylor select men such as Paine, thereby forfeiting their representation.

With great writing, superb camerawork, and stellar acting by everyone involved, this truly is a timeless classic. Capra truly made a movie that remains relevant today, which is something that movies made last year often fail to do. Decades from now, people will still be watching this movie, both for its historical value and its quality.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - Jean Arthur, James Stewart

A film not afraid to take risks

Like in the scene where Smith (Stewart) is looking at the statue of Lincoln and an African-American comes and looks at it too. Also, the film goes from funny to hard-hitting during the scene where Claud Rains is debating Stewart on the senate floor. BTW was this movie filmed in the real senate chamber? Most likely not!

Jean Arthur, James Stewart - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Now more than ever...

With the current political climate and the possible abolition of the filibuster on our doorstep, this film has more relevance than ever. It should be required viewing for high school students.... is civics even offered in high schools anymore???!!!