100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 169: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Director: Frank Capra
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 1939
Starring: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Astrid Allwyn, Ruth Donnely, Grant Mitchell, Porter Hall, Pierre Watkin

Description: A naive man (James Stewart) is appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn't back down.

Review: Frank Capra has his own style and his stories are often about the everyday man against the system. This is also the case for “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”. We follow Idealist Jefferson Smith who is going into politics, but collides with political corruption.
Who else than James Stewart to play this Mr. Washington. He is an idealist, always friendly and has a dose of humor. And he is so down to earth. He is also genuinely amazed by Washington and its history and architecture. The reason to put in the senate, is that he is a naïve man that is easily influenced. Or so they think. Smith wants to fight the corruption.
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is a timeless classic about good and bad. The acting is strong and the script is rather daring, especially for that time. Definitely a must-see.

Rating: 4,5/ 5