tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214297712303916286.post596917315103029103..comments2008-08-12T12:12:04.285-04:00T.S.noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214297712303916286.post-56196455819960783802008-08-12T12:12:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:12:00.000-04:00Excellent analysis, Brian. It's great to know younger viewers are still finding "Mr. Smith" a gratifying experience. I'd love to teach "Mr. Smith" one day; it's such a great film.<BR/><BR/>Also, your point about Capra's intentions in singling out the importance of individuals in a democracy – and their wisdom and ability to influence the process – is perfectly stated. I get that feeling watching the film but that's the first time I've seen expressed in such a crystalline manner.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading and posting, man.T.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00945932279787919282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214297712303916286.post-14636293314224574062008-08-12T09:05:00.000-04:002008-08-12T09:05:00.000-04:00Great review, Tony!<BR/><BR/>One of the amazing things about "Mr. Smith" is how well it holds even after 70 years. When I taught Politics and Film, I chose it as the first film we watched, and (as much as I love it) I was expecting some carping about its age, its idealism, etc. Instead, the students raved about it, picking up on its nuanced view of American politics and political institutions (I think people who know it by reputation without having actually watched it would be surprised by just how sharply the movie criticizes Washington, the press, etc.).<BR/><BR/>Also, to add to your note about it being the last film shown in Paris before the Nazi occupation: one of the great things about Capra is that he recognized totalitarianism's growing threat to democracy in the 1930's, and set out to counteract it. He was disturbed by Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will" and feared (much as FDR did) that without action, the public would turn against democracy. Thus, he offered up "Mr. Smith" (and, later, the "Why We Fight" propaganda series) as a response. And, to his enormous credit, "Mr. Smith" makes a masterful counter-argument -- one that acknowledges the flaws of the American system, but nevertheless makes an intelligent and impassioned plea in its favor. Whereas "Triumph" seeks to subtly manipulate the audience's emotions, "Mr. Smith" is upfront but hardly simple-minded in its effort to convince the viewers. It not only seeks to bolster support for democracy, it does this by depending upon the wisdom of average citizens -- thus "Mr. Smith" isn't just telling people to have faith in democracy, it's a quintessential expression of that faith.Brian McFillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179515707316349992noreply@blogger.com