It’s A Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946): USA

Reviewed by William Conlin. Viewed on DVD.

In the pantheon of American cinema, few films have reached the revered status of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. To many, this is the essential holiday film and deservedly so. Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of the lovable, small-town George Bailey is considered one of the greatest performances of classic Hollywood. In the course of two hours, the viewer laughs, cries and celebrates the joy of family and love.

The hero of our story, George Bailey, has many dreams. He wants to see the world, go to school and become a famous architect. Most of all, he wants to get out of Bedford Falls, the one-horse town he grew up in. The problem is, every time George get’s close to fulfilling his dream of leaving Bedford Falls he is stopped. His biggest barrier is a bitter old man named Mr. Potter (portrayed by the indelible Lionel Barrymore), who will stop at nothing to take over Bedford Falls. As George falls in love and builds a family, Potter’s attempts to destroy George take their toll on him. To add insult to injury, George’s brother, who was never as ambitious as George, goes to college and becomes a war hero. On Christmas Eve, George’s life finally collapses and is left with no option other than suicide. In a thrilling and heartwarming climax, divine intervention and the love of his family shows George that no matter what happens he truly has a wonderful life.

It’s A Wonderful Life is always looked at for it’s message, but it’s important to look at the filmmaking as well. Frank Capra was one of the greatest directors of his time and this film shows his talents in every scene. At the time of its release, It’s A Wonderful Life wasn’t a huge success, but since it has become one of the most watch Hollywood films. It’s played on television repeatedly every December and can often be found in theaters during the holiday season. I have memories of It’s A Wonderful Life being shown to me every Christmas growing up and it’s still just as powerful as the first time. I have seen grown men cry watching this film and it makes perfect sense.

It’s A Wonderful Life touches a core element in all of us. It brings out the raw emotions of love and joy. At a time when families get together and celebrate the holidays, what film could possibly be better? The answer is simple; there is no other film. If you have never seen it, watch It’s A Wonderful Life, you’ll be glad you did. If you have seen it, another viewing is always worth it. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!


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