Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

8.0

There's no denying James Stewart's breakout performance is what the film is best known for. His starry-eyed Americana role aside, the film is a strong and straightforward political drama. The American spirit interwoven into the film is sadly a thing of the past. It is the film's strongest quality and the only reason the mediocre ending feels conclusive. The black and white photography brings out the magical essence of Washington's drab courtrooms and offices, aligning the film's portrayal of Washington with Jefferson Smith's idea of it. The film is at its weakest when Stewart is not on screen and many of the scenes involving the money-grubbing politicians drag.

James Stewart and Clarissa Saunders share a natural chemistry and their scenes together strengthen the film. The role of the press in the film is especially poignant when compared to today's media stranglehold. The picture has many strengths and few weaknesses. The classic status of the film is not due to any one scene but to the overarching themes that harken back to the foundations of this country.