This is an excellent movie. It may have been made in 1936, but watching it for the first time in the year 2000 I found that it hasn't dated the slightest bit. Its message is timeless: the good, honest, kind-hearted guy is usually the one persecuted, laughed at, by a society who "doesn't even know what it wants" (a quote from one of the main characters in the film). Gary Cooper is excellent as the shy, humble guy in question. While he's definitely not painted as an angel (he has the tendency to hit people, a lot, but always with just cause ;) he nevertheless manages to wonderfully convey the character's innocence in terms of his exposure to "true" human nature. Of course, while the plot might seem like it would be a downer, this is still a Frank Capra film we're talking about. Capra manages to balance the comedy and drama so well I'm speechless..
Really, a charming movie.
Really, a charming movie.