What’s your favorite patriotic movie?  I’m a big fan of 1776, but one of my favorites for the Fourth of July is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington–even though it has nothing to do with the American revolution.

It’s an old Jimmy Stewart movie about party politics and idealism.  A governor needs someone to fill a senator seat until the next election, and is being pressured by various interest groups.  On his children’s advice and with a lucky coin toss, he ends up choosing Jefferson Smith (Stewart), the wholesome and naive head of the Boy Rangers.  In Washington, Smith is taken under the wing of established Senator Paine (Claude Rains).  Everyone figures Smith will sit quietly and cause no trouble, but when he proposes a bill to establish a boys’ camp, he inadvertantly sets events in motion that will expose Paine’s corruption, setting Paine and the political machine against him.

It’s really Smith’s wide-eyed idealism that makes this movie for me.  It’s not about the founding fathers, but Smith believes in all those principles they stand for.  You know, things like freedom and honesty and a government that works for the people.  There’s a wonderful scene when Smith first comes to Washington D.C., when he just wanders around to look at all the sights and all the monuments and is breathlessly blown away by history and meaning.

And there’s the famous filibuster scene, Smith’s last-ditch effort to fight back as the political machine turns everyone against him.  Jimmy Stewart plays exhausted desperation and sincerity very well.  He’s the perfect fit for the role throughout–he takes impossible naivety and makes you believe in it.  He’s the classic Everyman, and his Everyman is a really nice guy you’d like to know.

It doesn’t hurt to have Claude Rains in the movie either.  He forever endeared himself to me in Casablanca–come to think of it, as another corrupt government official.  Captain Renault was cheerfully corrupt and honest about it, while Senator Paine is less witty and more two-faced and devious.

It’s a classic Frank Capra movie (he also directed It’s a Wonderful Life and You Can’t Take It with You) and you know what you’re getting with Mr. Capra–idealism, strong values and warm feelings.  It’s a black-and-white movie with a black-and-white message, and even though I think life and certainly politics have a lot more gray most of the time, it is nice to celebrate the holiday visiting Capra’s idealized world.

And then, of course, to set off some fireworks.  How will you be celebrating the Fourth of July?

Other reviews:
Great Old Movies
Cinema 1001
Anyone else?

I’ve been looking forward to Brave for months.  I still haven’t seen Cars 2, Pixar’s last offering, but I went to see Brave this past weekend.  It was wonderful.  I already bought the soundtrack, and will probably get the DVD when it comes out.  I loved the movie on just about every level–the characters, the animation, the plot, the music.  It was like the best of Disney met the best of Pixar and it came out amazing.

Brave is set in Medieval Scotland, and focuses on Merida, the daughter of a clan chieftain.  Her mother Elinor, the clear power beside the throne, wants to teach her to be a proper lady and assume the responsibilities of a leader.  Merida dreams of running free among the hills.  Their dispute comes to a head when three other clans arrive with some very unattractive princes, here to compete for Merida’s hand.  Merida gets a spell from a witch to change her fate, and of course, everything goes horribly awry.

I love Merida.  She’s possibly the strongest Disney princess I can think of.  Some of the themes remind me of Pocahontas, with the struggle between responsibility and freedom, but Merida feels more vivid and more sure of herself.  She reminds me more of Princess Cimorene from Patricia C. Wrede’s Enchanted Forest books, not quite a proper princess and more interested in other things than being one.

It’s also nice to see a Disney princess with both parents.  Merida’s father is fun-loving and indulgent, and he and Merida have a good rapport.  The relationship with her mother is more complicated, with some good scenes near the beginning setting up both their bond and their conflict.  I could see both their points of view, and felt sympathetic towards both of them.  I’ve seen Elinor described as the villain in other reviews, but I just didn’t see that.  It was a conflict between two strong women who both have a point.  Elinor wants to give her daughter the best possible life, and is keenly aware of their responsibilities towards their people; Merida wants to be herself, to have choices and freedom.

Merida also has three hilarious little brothers, who cause endless mischief, especially racing about the castle.  There are some fun Merida-as-big-sister moments too.

There’s a lot that’s very funny in Brave.  All the characters have their moments, and the humor ranges from clever to just silly, but is very well done.

Stepping back from the characters and the plot, the soundtrack and the animation are both brilliant.  Other than one funny song Merida’s father sings about slaughtering a bear, there aren’t any musical numbers.  The songs are in the background, but even though I don’t usually notice background music, this soundtrack caught my attention.  There’s a beautiful, beautiful song, “Touch the Sky,” that plays while Merida is riding through the hills.  There are also frequent melodies with a Scottish-flavor that add to the feel and tone of the movie.

And the animation…I seem to have saved for last what will probably be noticable first.  The landscapes are gorgeous, soaring hills and forest glens.  The detail is exquisite, and even though I saw this in 2D, it frequently felt 3D.  Some of the movements are a little whooshy and hard to focus on at the beginning, but the movie seemed to adjust as it went and I didn’t notice that so much later on.  The animation of the characters is excellent as well, with subtle facial expressions and mannerisms.  And I want pretty much all of Merida’s and Elinor’s clothes–and Merida’s hair.

Brave has the princess-focus of a Disney movie, with the innovation and edge of a Pixar movie.  It’s not at all a princess-meets-her-prince story, focusing instead on Merida’s relationship with her mother, and her own growth into her responsibilities.  And it’s beautifully drawn and scored, and it’s very funny, and…well, just go see it.  That’s all, really.  You’ll have a wonderful time. 🙂

Movie site: www.disney.go.com