The film is a sort of modern fairy tale and begins with the inauguration of a new President. This one is COMPLETELY unlike any other president (uh, huh), as he has absolutely no ambition to do or change anything--even though the country is in the midst of the Depression. When he's asked important questions at a press conference, his answers have absolutely nothing to do with what was asked. When there is an army of unemployed who are converging on DC (like the real-life 'Bonus Army' during the Hoover administration), he's shown playing with his young nephew--oblivious and happily so. To put it bluntly, he's a selfish and lazy jerk.
When the President is in a motorcade, he behaves very irresponsibly--choosing to drive his own car AND drive it like a maniac. As he drives at 100 miles per hour, his escort can't even keep up and the audience knows something is about to happen. Naturally, there is an accident and he's expected to die. BUT, unexpectedly, he awakens and is physically fine, but is also a thoroughly changed man. Instead of the lazy jerk he'd been, he's now a good man ready for action--even if the Congress and his own Cabinet couldn't care less. Assuming near dictatorial powers, he now does exactly what needs to be done for good of the nation. And, in the process, he introduces an enlightened form of socialism for the good of America. How this all came to be and what happens next you'll just have to see for yourself.
The film comes across as a very entertaining and well-meaning film--and clearly a product of the times. While most will no doubt enjoy it, the film scared the crap out of me. Although the film was not meant as a ringing endorsement for National Socialism (i.e., the Nazis), the message could easily be interpreted as approval for such a heavy-handed and all-controlling government that is acting 'for the good of the nation'. While in the case of this film the President is a benevolent dictator, such unhealthy desires for a tough guy who does what MUST be done (despite the Constitution) is a very dangerous idea indeed! Hitler himself sold his nation a similar bill of goods--which looked awfully attractive back in 1933. Hitler ALSO asked his congress to declare a state of emergency, dissolve themselves and grant him almost unlimited powers. At least this is my perspective as a history and government teacher.
Well made, well meaning...and a bit dangerous.
By the way, for you fans of classic Hollywood films, get a load of the performance of Mischa Auer as a reporter who confronts the President. His usual accent and European manners are just about completely absent here--probably one of the very few times he played a role this way during his career.
When the President is in a motorcade, he behaves very irresponsibly--choosing to drive his own car AND drive it like a maniac. As he drives at 100 miles per hour, his escort can't even keep up and the audience knows something is about to happen. Naturally, there is an accident and he's expected to die. BUT, unexpectedly, he awakens and is physically fine, but is also a thoroughly changed man. Instead of the lazy jerk he'd been, he's now a good man ready for action--even if the Congress and his own Cabinet couldn't care less. Assuming near dictatorial powers, he now does exactly what needs to be done for good of the nation. And, in the process, he introduces an enlightened form of socialism for the good of America. How this all came to be and what happens next you'll just have to see for yourself.
The film comes across as a very entertaining and well-meaning film--and clearly a product of the times. While most will no doubt enjoy it, the film scared the crap out of me. Although the film was not meant as a ringing endorsement for National Socialism (i.e., the Nazis), the message could easily be interpreted as approval for such a heavy-handed and all-controlling government that is acting 'for the good of the nation'. While in the case of this film the President is a benevolent dictator, such unhealthy desires for a tough guy who does what MUST be done (despite the Constitution) is a very dangerous idea indeed! Hitler himself sold his nation a similar bill of goods--which looked awfully attractive back in 1933. Hitler ALSO asked his congress to declare a state of emergency, dissolve themselves and grant him almost unlimited powers. At least this is my perspective as a history and government teacher.
Well made, well meaning...and a bit dangerous.
By the way, for you fans of classic Hollywood films, get a load of the performance of Mischa Auer as a reporter who confronts the President. His usual accent and European manners are just about completely absent here--probably one of the very few times he played a role this way during his career.