You Can't Take it With You

Starring: Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Edward Arnold, Mischa Auer
Directed by: Frank Capra
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Comedy, Romance
1938

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Alice (Jean Arthur) falls in love with the son (James Stewart) of an extremely wealthy family. When she asks his parents to come meet her eccentric family, the strain could tear their relationship apart.

Review:

Tim: This is another great Frank Capra movie, an as evidence to support this, it won the 1939 Academy Award for Best Picture. While this is true, I was a little harsh on this movie because I don't believe it is on the same level as It's a Wonderful Life or Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. While neither of those films won the Oscar for Best Picture, I just did not as thoroughly enjoy this movie as I did those two. There are many reasons for that. The chief concern I had was that this movie didn't offer up the emotional impact of Capra's other films. While the good hearted sentiment and importance of friends themes are here, I didn't leave this movie reeling from the emotional blow like the previously mentioned movies.

The cast is good. Lionel Barrymore proves as effective as a good guy here as a bad guy in It's a Wonderful Life. Jean Arthur was decent, but she needed to give a stronger performance. James Stewart is good as the man caught in the middle and the catalyst for much of the film's escapades. The rest of the cast all add in their various zany and entertaining performances.

Frank Capra is somewhat criticized for his happy, hopeful, and joyous movies. While other films manage to be so flawlessly, this one has some difficulty staying realistic. The end's transformations are hopeful, but not the most believable end.

The movie does have many positives. It has a great message, and there are some truly outstanding scenes- the big fireworks scene always has me uncontrollably laughing. The movie has so many different characters all running around with their eccentricies and it makes for good fun. This may not be Capra's best, but don't miss it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington