Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
Movie: 1939, black and white, 129 minutes
-Director: Frank Capra
-Actors:
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is a film about a dorky man plucked to be a replacement for the deceased U.S Senator.
How does the color of the film symbolize the meaning of it as well?
The film is in black and white, completely contrasting colors. The classic opposites, which applies to the storyline as well. James Stewart is a naïve; gullible fellow who enters who swiftly enters into the world of politician completely and utterly trusting and unaware of reality. His peers and his father’s best friend manipulate his sweet docile manner. As a man of morality he is the white of the film, the innocence and purity of his mind is represented through that color where as the black, devoid of light which can translate to devoid of any good is represented through Senator Joseph Paine his father’s best friend and his corruption, as well as the general whole of politics which is often construed with dishonesty, bribery, fraud etc…
What about the angle, POV and frame play a crucial role in the film?
Whenever Jefferson Smith played by James Stewart enters the court and begins to speak the camera focuses on him and only him, which is common when someone is talking but for the most part directors usually vary the scene with a few different frames. Capra does switch it up a bit by altering the point of view to Clarissa Saunders and her side man a few times still there is no variation in framing when Stewart talks. He is the center of attention, the background of people is blurred and he clear. We are able to insert ourselves as one of the people listening and watching Smith talk, the close up allows us to see how nervous, weak and dumbfounded the man is when he addresses the other politicians. That close up also allows us to witness his transformation into a strong character that is fighting for his cause.
