a remarkably brilliant film

Agreed!

Yep it was way ahead of its time. It explored a lot of subjects and ideas that wouldn't really be explored much in the coming decades. It would probably even be considered "subversive" in the modern day in some ways (the way it points out both the flaws and strengths of capitalism and socialism).

It was all going so well until the last couple minutes of the movie when suddenly there is some pro-FDR message that sticks out like the sorest of thumbs (not that I have anything against FDR, but it was just so blatant)

Cannot agree. Cardboard characters, especially unbelievable hero. Silly politics.

No, not brilliant, but interesting.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, or doesn't.