Even his mom thinks it’s a goofy idea, but 29-year-old Jeff Smith, a novice politician bursting with liberal idealism, decides to seek a congressional seat in inner St. Louis previously held by Dick Gephardt. His Democratic-primary opponent is considered unbeatable, even though he’s a dimwit and a dullard: his last name is Carnahan, as magical in Missouri Dem circles as Kennedy is in Massachusetts. This Mr. Smith is geeky, but he’s so energetic and determined and straight-arrow honest that anyone with a heart will be rooting for him, especially as he attracts a youth corps of articulate volunteers and makes inroads into black neighborhoods. Frank Popper’s documentary is a worthy contemporary follow-up to Frank Capra’s 1939 classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and a nudge to get you to the polls.

On the Web
Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?'s Web site://www.mrsmithmovie.com/

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