126 out of 126 people found this review helpful.
No Man is a Failure who has Friends
Date of Review: Dec 25, 2004
The Bottom Line: It's a Wonderful Life is a holiday classic and one of the best films ever made.
Christmas time means a lot of different things to many people. We associate the holidays mostly with the exchange of presents and general good cheer. Fine food and drink are another hallmark of the Christmas season, along with spending time with family.
Yet another important part of Christmas to many people is the ritual of watching holiday movies and television programs. And one movie that ranks as probably the greatest Christmas movie of all time is Frank Capra's beloved film It's a Wonderful Life. First released nearly sixty years ago, this movie still continues to win over fans of all ages and can still be seen every Christmas season in most every television market across America.
Movie Facts:
Rating: PG
Format: Black and White
Director: Frank Capra
Screenplay: Frank Capra, Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, Phillip Van Doren Stern, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson.
Theatrical Release Date: 1946
Movie Length: 130 Minutes
Cast: Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen, Frank Albertson, Todd Karns, Mary Treen, Virginia Patton, Gloria Grahame, H.B. Warner, Samuel Hinds, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond.
Contents of This Movie:
Bedford Falls is the setting for this movie starring George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart)- a man who has made many sacrifices for the good of the town. He is a man who has it all, or so it seems. He has a wife (played by Donna Reed) and four kids and is well- respected in the community for all the good he and his family building and loan business have brought to the local town folk.
But business is not as good as it could be, and George finds himself stooping to a new low when he has to grovel to the greedy scoundrel known as Mr. Potter (played by Lionel Barrymore) in a desperate plea for money to save his banking businesses from ruin. It seems that his uncle Bill (played by Thomas Mitchell) has misplaced a large sum of money that is needed to keep the bank running smoothly. George has now hit a new low- and reached a new level of anxiety.
George is so distraught over everything that he heads to a bridge and contemplates suicide. But before he jumps, another man suddenly appears out of nowhere and plunges into the cold waters below. The man's name is Clarence (played by Henry Travers), but he is no ordinary man. He is an angel, second class, sent to the earth to convince George that his life is really worth living. Completion of his task will not only save George's life- it will also earn Clarence his wings in heaven.
In order to convince George, Clarence lets his friend see what life would have been like had he never been born. George quickly discovers that he really did have a wonderful life, and the movie ends with his returning to life as usual, happier than ever before, as he joins his family and friends to celebrate the joyous time of Christmas.
Final Thoughts:
"It's a Wonderful Life" is a film full of cinematic force. It follows the life of George Bailey from his early time as a child working in a store, to his marriage and family, and to a financial crisis with his business that almost costs him his own life.
The casting in this film, the story, and the direction are about as close to flawless as one will find in a motion picture. The characters and the performances are great, and Capra found just the right people for each role. Jimmy Stewart is perfect as the compassionate George Bailey- a man who is nice to everyone and wants to help everyone, but now finds himself in a state of emotional turmoil when he fears his business will go belly- up and that his nasty nemesis, Mr. Potter, will grow even more powerful. Speaking of Mr. Potter, could there have been a better actor to cast in this role than Lionel Barrymore? The Potter character is mean- spirited, cold, heartless, and filled with greed, and Barrymore brings out all these characteristics with fine precision. Everything from his voice to his appearance and that nasty, evil grimace are exactly what you would expect in this type of character.
Donna Reed is just right for this role, too. She plays George Bailey's supportive and loving wife, a woman who fills her role in a traditional way but who is also prepared to go out on a limb to support her family, like she does at the end when she rallies the town folk together to support her husband's financial problems at his place of business. And who could forget actor Henry Travers in the role as Clarence the angel. Travers has the benign look, the pinchable checks, and everything else one would expect from an actor in this type of role.
George Bailey is the central figure in this film, and his life experiences are laid out for all to see. He feels the frustrations that go with day to day living. He sees the unethical side of business in the underhanded Mr. Potter. He has a chance to get a high- paying job with Mr. Potter, but turns it down because he knows it just isn't right. He finds himself in a state of financial crisis and he knows his family business might be taken away from him if he doesn't act quickly. He decides to visit his favorite watering hole to drown his sorrows while his anxiety grows stronger and stronger, causing him to lash out at his family. Then, he almost loses his own life when he heads to the bridge, only to be rescued when Clarence jumps into the river, prompting George to jump in to rescue him, once again showing George Bailey's true character and his conscious of helpfulness.
While Jimmy Stewart's character is the focus of this film, the supporting cast is every bit as good and the movie itself is just right in terms of length and plot. The film is based on fantasy, and the idea of an angel showing up to save a man by showing him what life would have been like had he never been born sounds like a script from a "B" movie. If anyone else had attempted to bring this together, the movie probably would have been hokey and embarrassing to watch. But Capra and his cast turn this movie into a full- length piece of entertainment that continues to please viewers decades after its original release.
This movie works on every level, and director Frank Capra deserves much credit for bringing everything together in this fantasy flick to make it into the much beloved holiday classic it has become for many generations. It's the type of movie that does more than merely entertain. It makes you think. It gets you wondering about the emotions George Bailey is experiencing. It gets you thinking about the cold- hearted Mr. Potter and the sweet and supportive Mary Bailey. And it gets you thinking about Clarence, the angel, and how it must feel to have finally earned his wings.
Overall, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a cinematic masterpiece that ranks as one of the best Hollywood has ever produced. It's a film that inspires us all with its simple yet sometimes complicated look at life and all the ups and downs that we humans experience every day. It's no wonder that this movie is still shown each Christmas season and is still watched over and over again by loyal fans who love to watch a man on the brink of losing it all, only to discover that he has much more to be grateful for than he ever imagined. It was all right there, and it took an angel to show George Bailey the way.
"Dear George: Remember- No Man is a Failure who has Friends", writes Clarence in his copy of the novel Tom Sawyer- a book he leaves behind for George Bailey at the end of the film. Regardless of money or other material wealth, friendship and goodwill are what really matter. Clarence's words of wisdom ring true for his old earthling buddy. And the message they resonate holds true for anyone who has had the pleasure of watching this movie classic. "It's a Wonderful Life" is movie magic- great for the entire family to enjoy year after year and one of the best films ever, for the Christmas season or any season.
