A middling political story with romance thrown in, Washington Story is something of a 1950s take on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, although without that classic's smooth and heartfelt handling (by Frank Capra, of course). Washington is more of a made-to-order story, although one gets the feeling that writer/director Robert Pirosh is perhaps settling a few scores along the way. While Washington avoids Red scare tactics so common in the period, it still takes a very pro-government, anti-press stance that would have benefited from a bit more nuanced view. The romantic angle is strictly Hollywood, and it's so predictable that it doesn't really wash, but the performers go a long way to making it enjoyable. Van Johnson gets to use all of his good guy charm here, and his innate appeal plays a huge part in making Washington watchable. He's kind of an odd match for Patricia Neal, but there's a definite chemistry between them, and Neal has more than enough talent and charisma to handle the demands of her part -- and even make some swift character turns believable. Philip Ober is well cast as the devious columnist intent on ruining Johnson, and the rest of the cast is fine. The location lensing is also a plus.