It's a bit much, but it works like magic. The cast could hardly be better

With the egalitarian warmth of Jean Renoir (himself a huge fan of the film), director McCarey spoofs stereotypes while investing them with knowing asides.

Fitting such a democratic film, there's no bad part here...

An idealized rendering of this country's small town, McCarey’s assured hand in the director’s chair steers Ruggles of Red Gap into the right kind of standard feel-good cinema.