Gabriel Over the White House has been touted as a visionary political satire of the silver screen, but since there have been so many of that genre made in the past 90 years, watching it now doesn't have the same meaning. There's no more punch to Walter Huston's lines, and the audience will be thinking of more twists and turns than there are, simply because in more modern movies, snappier lines and twistier turns have been filmed.
If you liked Kevin Kline's Dave, though, you'll probably want to watch this one, as there are very strong parallels. Walter Huston stars as an unpopular, cold president who doesn't care about the people. He's having an affair with a political aide and frequently conducts backroom deals. Then, he gets a bad bump on his head and completely changes. He's warm, friendly, extremely moral, and wants to help the people regardless of political standing. It's as if he turned into a completely different person after his accident--sound familiar?
Unless you feel extremely in tuned with the 1930s lifestyle and politicians during the Great Depression, you won't get as much out of this movie as you might have. Walter Huston is a wonderful powerhouse actor who commands your attention no matter if he's one the screen for two hours or five minutes. Taking second fiddle is Franchot Tone, the suspicious secretary to the President, who is also in his prime before his personal and professional life took a hit. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is much more famous, but if you like social commentaries of the past, rent this one, too.
If you liked Kevin Kline's Dave, though, you'll probably want to watch this one, as there are very strong parallels. Walter Huston stars as an unpopular, cold president who doesn't care about the people. He's having an affair with a political aide and frequently conducts backroom deals. Then, he gets a bad bump on his head and completely changes. He's warm, friendly, extremely moral, and wants to help the people regardless of political standing. It's as if he turned into a completely different person after his accident--sound familiar?
Unless you feel extremely in tuned with the 1930s lifestyle and politicians during the Great Depression, you won't get as much out of this movie as you might have. Walter Huston is a wonderful powerhouse actor who commands your attention no matter if he's one the screen for two hours or five minutes. Taking second fiddle is Franchot Tone, the suspicious secretary to the President, who is also in his prime before his personal and professional life took a hit. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is much more famous, but if you like social commentaries of the past, rent this one, too.