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Post by cineclassics on Mar 19, 2023 0:21:13 GMT
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Post by sagebrush on Mar 19, 2023 14:28:58 GMT
I always watch MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON when it airs, but I start getting a little bored during the political scenes ( not the senate floor marathon scene.) MR. Smith is actually one of my lesser loved Capra films.
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES is a film I find myself more interested in the more I watch it. All the characters are so real, with their flaws as well as strengths on full display as they go about their lives. They could be me or any of my neighbors. Every time I watch, I want to know more about Dana Andrews' (Fred Derry) family. Why were his dad and stepmom so terribly poor? I want to know more about them. When Fred has a fist full of cash after his return from the war, why didn't he help them at all? See, I care about these people. 
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Post by BunnyWhit on Mar 19, 2023 15:15:27 GMT
I agree, sagebrush. One does care about the characters in The Best Years of Our Lives. Like you, I seem to focus a lot on the Dana Andrews character. I always hate that his wife is such a selfish thing, and I always wonder why he feels so inferior, especially to his father. That point is certainly evident in that he doesn't tell his father about his heroic deeds during the war, rather his father is left to read about it in his son's absence. He is proud to the point of tears, but we can see that Andrews' character feels he could never live up to the goodness that is his father. It's heartbreaking. But I also very much care about the characters in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Stewart's Jeff Smith so plainly wants to do the right thing for everyone, and it genuinely pains him to realize that pleasing some will mean disappointing others. His wide-eyed idealism and naivete are on full display, and even break the jaded exterior of Jean Arthur's Saunders. I adore the small scene between Stewart and Harry Carey in this film. Carey, as President of the Senate, shares a knowing, supportive smile with Smith as he filibusters his heart out. Honestly, I believe that moment is my single favorite scene of Carey's. And finally, I care so much for the Boy Rangers in this film. It breaks Jeff's heart when he learns that he has let down those boys who believed in him so. I always leave this film wondering how those boys grew up and what they became. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington gets my vote here.  |
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Post by Fading Fast on Mar 19, 2023 15:21:12 GMT
I agree, sagebrush. One does care about the characters in The Best Years of Our Lives. Like you, I seem to focus a lot on the Dana Andrews character. I always hate that his wife is such a selfish thing, and I always wonder why he feels so inferior, especially to his father. That point is certainly evident in that he doesn't tell his father about his heroic deeds during the war, rather his father is left to read about it in his son's absence. He is proud to the point of tears, but we can see that Andrews' character feels he could never live up to the goodness that is his father. It's heartbreaking. But I also very much care about the characters in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Stewart's Jeff Smith so plainly wants to do the right thing for everyone, and it genuinely pains him to realize that pleasing some will mean disappointing others. His wide-eyed idealism and naivete are on full display, and even break the jaded exterior of Jean Arthur's Saunders. I adore the small scene between Stewart and Harry Carey in this film. Carey, as President of the Senate, shares a knowing, supportive smile with Smith as he filibusters his heart out. Honestly, I believe that moment is my single favorite scene of Carey's. And finally, I care so much for the Boy Rangers in this film. It breaks Jeff's heart when he learns that he has let down those boys who believed in him so. I always leave this film wondering how those boys grew up and what they became. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington gets my vote here. |
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