Sometimes we all just need to be reminded of the important things in life. Sometimes we need to be happy. Sometimes we need inspiration.
As a film-maker, Frank Capra understood those elements brilliantly. His films are often dismissed as 'Capra-corn', and that they are not. Yes, they contain a good dose of sentimentality and what has been termed as 'corn' (Capra's favorite tune 'Auld Lang Syne' gets it's first run-out here, along with a slice of 'For He's A Jolly Good Fellow'), yet they are films with a real message, and real characters. Capra celebrates the common man and the spirit of man like no other.
Here we have Gary Cooper as Longfellow Deeds, a small-town hick idealist who inherits $20 million. He is brought to the the city of New York, and of course the leeches start to grab on immediately. This good-natured, harmless man is then taken for a ride by the town- most notably by top journalist 'Babe' Bennet (the wonderful Jean Arthur)- who eat up his boyish innocence with mirth. Yet, 'Babe' softens and realizes the good in this man, and the true qualities he possesses- in doing so, she falls in love with him. But the vultures are already pecking on Deeds as he is absurdly committed to an insane asylum for planning to give away his fortune to the poor- the essential practice of 'noblesse oblige'.
My favorite Capra film behind 'It's A Wonderful Life', 'Mr Deeds' argues against big-city cynicism and the emphasis on capital gain. It also celebrates the individual, and those that possess the quality of 'goodness'. Longfellow Deeds, naive as he is, has this trait, and he is one of cinema's most heroic and enduring characters. Cooper is excellent in the role, and gives a subtle and measured performance. Deeds' courtroom speech would have been a lesser actor's excuse to put on the theatrics, yet Cooper captures and maintain's his character's quiet integrity throughout.
Arthur, one of my favorite actresses, is also excellent as the cynic reporter. Arhur's best asset, her unique voice, delivers many sassy lines and serves her brilliantly. She's comedic, dramatic, light-hearted and emotional in the role- truly a multi-faceted performance. And is she beautiful!...this woman was 36 when this film was made, and she looks gorgeous. Timeless. The chemistry and playing between her and Cooper is wonderful- watching them fall in love is one of the infinite joys of classic cinema.
Capra's range of interesting supporting characters are used to the hilt here, and he has the benefit of a sharp script. Never one for visual style, Capra based his success on characters and story-telling. Yet his films did develop a unique structure and look, exemplified in his trademark use of 'Auld Lang Syne' and newsreels that jump to the screen to convey the narrative. He also did an excellent close-up.
This film is truly one of the greats. It will bring tears to your eyes, make you laugh, love.It will inspire you, make you realize the important things in life. It will make you realize the importance of caring for others, and the power a lone individual can have if he/she stands up for their beliefs. Yes, Capra simplifies his message and makes it all look so easy, but even if we can take one tiny piece of 'good' away from this film and place it in our everyday lives we will reach someone.
Idealistic, moralistic film-making, yes. Crap? No.
An absolute classic.
10/10.
As a film-maker, Frank Capra understood those elements brilliantly. His films are often dismissed as 'Capra-corn', and that they are not. Yes, they contain a good dose of sentimentality and what has been termed as 'corn' (Capra's favorite tune 'Auld Lang Syne' gets it's first run-out here, along with a slice of 'For He's A Jolly Good Fellow'), yet they are films with a real message, and real characters. Capra celebrates the common man and the spirit of man like no other.
Here we have Gary Cooper as Longfellow Deeds, a small-town hick idealist who inherits $20 million. He is brought to the the city of New York, and of course the leeches start to grab on immediately. This good-natured, harmless man is then taken for a ride by the town- most notably by top journalist 'Babe' Bennet (the wonderful Jean Arthur)- who eat up his boyish innocence with mirth. Yet, 'Babe' softens and realizes the good in this man, and the true qualities he possesses- in doing so, she falls in love with him. But the vultures are already pecking on Deeds as he is absurdly committed to an insane asylum for planning to give away his fortune to the poor- the essential practice of 'noblesse oblige'.
My favorite Capra film behind 'It's A Wonderful Life', 'Mr Deeds' argues against big-city cynicism and the emphasis on capital gain. It also celebrates the individual, and those that possess the quality of 'goodness'. Longfellow Deeds, naive as he is, has this trait, and he is one of cinema's most heroic and enduring characters. Cooper is excellent in the role, and gives a subtle and measured performance. Deeds' courtroom speech would have been a lesser actor's excuse to put on the theatrics, yet Cooper captures and maintain's his character's quiet integrity throughout.
Arthur, one of my favorite actresses, is also excellent as the cynic reporter. Arhur's best asset, her unique voice, delivers many sassy lines and serves her brilliantly. She's comedic, dramatic, light-hearted and emotional in the role- truly a multi-faceted performance. And is she beautiful!...this woman was 36 when this film was made, and she looks gorgeous. Timeless. The chemistry and playing between her and Cooper is wonderful- watching them fall in love is one of the infinite joys of classic cinema.
Capra's range of interesting supporting characters are used to the hilt here, and he has the benefit of a sharp script. Never one for visual style, Capra based his success on characters and story-telling. Yet his films did develop a unique structure and look, exemplified in his trademark use of 'Auld Lang Syne' and newsreels that jump to the screen to convey the narrative. He also did an excellent close-up.
This film is truly one of the greats. It will bring tears to your eyes, make you laugh, love.It will inspire you, make you realize the important things in life. It will make you realize the importance of caring for others, and the power a lone individual can have if he/she stands up for their beliefs. Yes, Capra simplifies his message and makes it all look so easy, but even if we can take one tiny piece of 'good' away from this film and place it in our everyday lives we will reach someone.
Idealistic, moralistic film-making, yes. Crap? No.
An absolute classic.
10/10.