Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Recommended. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Jefferson Smith is an honest man who goes to work in the government in Washington. Some powerful men lie about him to hide their own cheating. He stands up and talks for a whole day and night to tell the truth. This is a classic about honesty and standing alone for what is right. Smith never gives up, and his goodness finally wakes up the conscience of the man who betrayed him. The one age is 13, set by the Legion of Decency's A-II (Common Sense says 8). Expect thugs roughing up boys, a car crash, smoking and drinking, a woman getting drunk, and a senator who tries to shoot himself.
For parents
Best for about thirteen and up. The Legion of Decency rated it A-II, which is stricter than Common Sense Media's 8+, so 13 is the age. The trouble spots are small: gangsters hit boys and ram their car, Saunders gets drunk and nearly agrees to marry a reporter, and Senator Paine tries to shoot himself before he confesses. Talk about Paine. Ask: how did a good man become corrupt one compromise at a time? Why does Smith keep talking when it seems hopeless? What made Paine finally tell the truth? Note the Senate praying for wisdom and justice.