This is one of the great movies. It's up there with Citizen Kane and Casablanca. Indeed, in some respects it's even better. The story portrays the corruption inherent in the American political system and does this in a nonabrasive and a political manner. That is, Sturges presents the story and lets the audience draw their own conclusions. Judging from this movie, Sturges shows how the political process is a sham and causes one to reasonably conclude that the only way to get something done is through extra-legal means. Although made in 1941 the movie's story is as relevant today as it was 67 years ago. Brian Donlevy gives an outstanding performance as a down-and-out nobody who rises from the soup kitchen to the governor's office and when he attempts to actually try to reform the system learns some hard lessons about politics and life.
Review of The Great McGinty
