Mr Smith Goes To Washington
Mr Smith Goes To Washington is considered among the classics of American films. James Stewart played the lead role of Jefferson Smith, a naive Wisconsin country layman that becomes a US Senator. Jefferson, an average small town guy, is suddenly brought into a world of the politically corrupt. His honesty and moral fiber is a vast contrast to the wide spread corruption that unwittingly surrounds him in the White House.
After the death of the Senator from Jefferson’s state, his governor choose Jefferson as his replacement. This was part of a greater scheme. The Governor thought that Jefferson would serve as a political puppet that could be easily manipulated to do the evil deeds of the corrupt Senators in office. His overall honest reputation coupled with his lack of street smarts made Jefferson the perfect stooge. Jefferson is not aware of this plan and is only grateful to be a part of the Senate.
Jefferson holds certain ideals of American politics that makes him a bit of an optimistic and extremely patriotic. He is a proud follower of the tenets of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He looks up to these men and hopes to carry on the same tenacity for virtue within the White House.
Almost everyone around Jefferson was in on the plan. They all knew exactly why he was there. Others resented such a simple man that seem to bumble his way through speeches, being there. Jefferson also felt out of place but he had no idea how he was being used. Their plan seemed to be working until Jefferson realized he was a pawn in their corrupt game of politics. Then he became a problem that none of them saw coming.
Jefferson realizes he is being used. He also comes to learn that the Senate is filled with corrupt politicians seeking personal gain. At first he is stunned, then he rises to the occasion by standing up against his adversaries.
Jefferson takes the Senate floor for hours, exposing the wrongdoings of various Senators. He recites the United States Constitution word for word. He makes sure his voice is heard. Jefferson continues on to the point of exhaustion and passes out on the State floor. His voice is finally heard and the American people tout him as a hero for going up against the entire Senate.
Although this is a well known and widely received film, it did have its critics. American politicians took offense to the portrayal of Senators being men you could not trust. Several others took fault with how the movie represented America to foreign Nations. There were several countries that actually banned the film.
Mr Smith Goes to Washington is definitely an American film classic. The theme explores the idea that it only takes one person to stand up for justice. Integrity and honesty are still values Americans hold true and dear to the operation of their government. And Jefferson proved to be that hero people needed to look up to.
By the time I had gotten to it, 70 some people had already auditioned for the job. Dvd Rentals However, a good teacher has experience, but also a connection with their pupil. Don’t think about what you have and haven’t done for your exam.
on November 22, 2010 at 11:39 am
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i could never get tired of this movie. you really don’t get good writing like this anymore. not at all