It's a Wonderful Life

Rating:
Summary: The best film of the 40's
Review: Its a Wonderful Life is the best film of the 40's. It even slides past Double Indemnity. James Stewart gives his best performance ever as George Bailey. How Fredric March won the oscar over Stewart is beyond me. Capra's direction is one of pure craftmanship. My fifth favorite film of all time. Here is how the top five stand. 1)Schindlers List. 2) Raging Bull 3)The Deer Hunter. 4) Annie Hall. 5) Its a Wonderful Life.

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Summary: It's a Wonderful Message!
Review: Your life doesn't seem so wonderful? Suffering from depression? Then here's a pill to swallow: watch Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life". It's guaranteed to do you some good.

The screenplay of It's a Wonderful Life originated with a Christmas card short story called "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern. It revolves around the life of George Bailey, an ordinary man who falls in love, gets married, has a family, and unselfishly works hard to support his family and local community. Deep down George has the itch to escape the chains of the small town atmosphere of Bedford Falls and the family business. He longs to travel the world in search of adventure, and has visions of constructing grand buildings. His dreams however are anchored by reality: He feels morally bound to honor his commitments to his family and the family business "Bailey Building and Loan". The first three quarters of the movie slowly builds up atmosphere, as we come to understand George Bailey's character and outlook on life.

It is only towards the very end that the moment of crisis comes: On the eve of Christmas, precisely as a bank inspector is on the scene, a huge sum of money is lost by the bank, and George's entire business is threatened. At this point the lengthy build-up bears rich fruits: as viewers we are now in a position to understand the incredible and painful frustration George feels. We share the hurt and disillusionment of this broken man as he snaps at his family and loved ones, and tears well up as his uncomprehending children pray desperately for their father. It is the slow build up that enables us to share his and their emotions of grief, sorrow, pain and frustration.

When George is at the end of his road, he selfishly considers suicide. At this point heaven answers the prayers of his family by sending a guardian angel second class (AS2) named Clarence to help George renew his perspective on life. When George in his depressed state is convinced that the world would have been better off without him, the angel offers him "a chance to see what the world would be like without you." His magical heavenly touch transforms the world to the place it would have been without George Bailey's touch, so that George can discover that "each man's life touches so many other lives."

The religious aspect is not convincing: Bailey receives divine aid even though he professes himself not to be a religious man, whereas the Bible portrays heavenly help as a gift for believers. The notion of a guardian angel as presented in the movie is especially weak, particularly because of the way it often functions for comic relief in a rather trite and disrespectful manner. Spiritual matters hardly receive the serious treatment they deserve. In the end, religion (represented by the guardian angel) functions more as a backdrop and literary device to examine a serious perspective on life. It's a flimsy and unconvincing backdrop, but the matters that the guardian angel as a literary device serves to reflect on are serious indeed. By being given the opportunity to imagine he had not existed, George Bailey is confronted with the value of life, even a hard and difficult life, and learns that every person can make a difference. As George reflects on all his blessings, and the impact he has been able to have on people's lives, he comes to the conviction "I want to live again." Clarence reinforces George's desire to live: "You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don't you think it's a mistake to throw it away?" Life is valuable particularly when it is used in selflessness (represented by Bailey) and not in selfishness (represented by Potter). When serving others instead of mammon, life is tremendously valuable, even though it may be hard.

Though religion is outwardly present in the form of the guardian angel, this affirmation of the value of human life has been stripped of any religious notions. And yet this self-reflection is itself a very religious one. It is too bad that the movie succumbs to the need to have a feel-good ending where George overcomes his troubles, because it results in a overly sentimental feel-good Christmas without the Christ-child. In that sense the movie falls short by not being sufficiently religious. The reality is that the lives of most viewers do not receive the magical solution that George receives, and that their troubles are ongoing - and only the gospel gives life a wonderful significance in the midst of ongoing troubles. By providing an overly sweet ending, the theme of "do good to others" is unchained from the gospel, and an opportunity was lost to convey a message even more profound.

But even so, the message conveyed is still profound and enduring: Life is wonderful, particularly when it is lived in selflessness for others. We might not all touch as many lives as George does, but we can all have a tremendous impact in the lives of others. Unlike so many contemporary movies, It's a Wonderful Life does not promote materialism, greed or immorality, but shows the joys and rewards of a simple and self-less life with family and friends. The concept is brilliant, and we are left to reflect for ourselves what the lives of our family and friends would be like without our touch. Not only does this movie provide enduring and powerful themes affirming the value of marriage, family and self-less human life, but it does so with warm humor and touching romance. Most importantly there is powerful emotion and lasting quality that has the capacity to renew your perspective on your own life. What more could you ask for? Few movies are worth watching more than once, but this is certainly one of them! You only live once, but watching this movie once or more might just improve that life you only have the opportunity to live once.

Rating:
Summary: Pathetically awful Capra-corn
Review: No wonder people cry at the end of this ridiculous stinker -- they're so grateful it's over! Jimmy Stewart, who was a returning war hero when he made this thing, is, as a result, totally miscast as a naive small-towner who never goes anywhere. Donna Reed is gorgeous but she was wasted making films in an era when she couldn't show off her body. Clarence the Angel is OK for the Teletubby crowd, but a movie intended for grownups as well? Yikes. All Lionel Barrymore's bad guy needs is a mustache to twirl and he'd be the perfect cartoon villain. The ending is a cheat -- not only would the whole table-full-of-money thing never happen in real life, but what about all the poor saps watching the movie who have to think, "Well, maybe George Bailey could believe his life is worth living, but he's a movie character, and the script is built that way -- what about me?" I can see this movie being responsible for more suicides than anything excluding Ingmar Bergman. Oh, and that line -- "She's an old maid -- she's just about to close the library" made me spit out my drink the first time I heard it. Give me A Christmas Story any day.

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Summary: A Well-Told Story
Review: Story: Small-town man, Jimmy Stewart, wants to go off to college, but his family cannot afford to send both sons. Jimmy stays home, takes over the family banking business, and runs afoul of the greedy and powerful number one banker in town. He fights for the little guy, but seems to be losing. As Christmas approaches, he despairs and believes his presence means nothing. An angel comes along and lets him see what his town would be like without him, and he begins to . . . well, I don't want to give it away.

Commentary: There is no complexity or plot-twists or thrilling action. Just lots of good acting, a good story, and lots of heart. Good Sunday afternoon, kick-back-in-front-of-the-fire, video.

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Summary: IT IS A WONDERFUL CLASSIC!
Review: Why can't Hollywood make positive, warm-hearted movies like this anymore?!? This film, along with lots of other films in the early days, are the real movies we're speaking here...

Now, back to the film. You can notice that not all of this movie takes place on Christmas. It's good to see year round. The opening sequence is, of course, when George Bailey (ha, got his name) was a boy, and he saves Harry from drowning to death in frigid waters. Then he attends the graduation dance (I'm sure some of you teens and young adults as well as people of all ages will never forget that night.) He falls in love with a girl named Mary, they get married, (I warn you, don't try some of the antics he does.) and George becomes a banker. His business runs short on money and he tries all he can to get it booming again, with a few obstacles along the way. On account of a guardian angel, George gets to see what the town would be like without him (Hey man, why wish that in the first place? NEVER feel discouraged.) But it all comes to a happy ending, with the full company on screen.

Try this classic for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Well-presented DVD of a superb story
Review: I expect you have seen this before and just want a copy to own. If you haven't seen it, you will be told it is a somewhat sentimental tale of how a man discovers what other people's lives could have been like if he had never lived, courtesy of an angel. But this is not quite right. There is a small amount of sentiment in the film, and it may well leave you teary eyed, but that isn't the whole story. The first three-quarters of the film are spent building the story of George's life from childhood to mid-forties, showing how he met his wife, helped save the family business, the town, and his brother's life along the way. There are moments here when Stewart shows his full acting range, with the kind-hearted character he usually plays prone to moments of anger, impatience and cruelty. This is not a fairy-tale for Christmas, this is real life, otherwise why would George feel so wretched that he would want to kill himself. Notably the villain of the piece goes unpunished at the end of this film, a far cry from a cosy morality tale, and again more like real life.

But it is perhaps the last half hour which is prominent in most people's minds, the charming apprentice angel Clarence only has a quarter of the screen time yet is remembered as fondly as Stewart himself by many viewers. This is one to watch every Christmas. Just like A Christmas Carol, it never gets old and I am sure that new generations will fall under its spell just as we have.

The DVD contains a good quality re-master, with two rather short, but interesting documentaries.

Rating:
Summary: Colorized Version Stinks!!!!!!
Review: The colorized version of this timeless holoday classic is a complete desecration of the original black and white presentation. The garish washed out colors (done in 1988 by Colorization Inc.), destroys the shadow and picture contrasts and kills the entire mood and tone of the film.
Go with the original black and white version. You will enjoy the pathos of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), who attempts to commit suicide after a financial breakdown but is stopped by his guardian angel who shows him the importance of his life...This is a true holiday classic that is strictly meant to be seen in B&W!!!!!!!

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Summary: shamelessly optimistic...just what the doctor ordered
Review: Somehow, I have gone my whole life without seeing this movie despite its yearly showings. A black and white picture never seemed promising enough to hold my interest. Well, I have been depriving myself all these years from enjoying a cinematic masterpiece. A movie made in another time period, about something that is hardly out of date -- the worth-fullness of our own lives, and the optimism and hope that comes from knowing that we do make a difference.

But as sappy as this topic could be in the hands of a lesser writer/director, Frank Capra puts it into an engaging story that we can all relate to. Now I know why this is a yearly tradition in American households. We need this movie. Only if to remind us of how valuable we each are. Buy it, watch it and rewatch it.

Rating:
Summary: It would've been a great movie... IF
Review: I watched this in school and I thought it was horrible...

But I watched it again at home during the holidays and I realized what a triumph of cinema this movie was!

Rating:
Summary: "A poignant slice of Americana"
Review: When I was young, this movie was often shown on local television stations around Christmas time and the TV Guide listing described it s "a poignant slice of Americana." That description is the best one phrase encapsulization I have ever seen. Back when I was young, however, this movie was not considered the wonderful classic it is now recognized to be. Back then, the local stations used this movie as inexpensive holiday filler. Fortunately, the world has come to appreciate what a gem this Capra classic is. There are so many wonderful scenes of small town Amrica from the roaring twenties to World War 2.

The movie is filled with personal tension. Gerorge Baily is a small town boy who grows up with a desire for a college education and the opportunity to see the world. He wants to be an engineer and build bridges. The tension comes in his devotion to duty ... to carry on the family business when his father dies unexpectedly. George (played by James Stewart) compassionately keeps the struggling savings and loan going through the depression. However, he ultimately feels like a failure and when he has reached the end of his rope, he is given the opportunity to see how many lives he has positively effected. He sees just how much his small town goodness has enriched so many lives.

My favorite scene is one involving his romantic tension. Donna Reed plays a neighbor who goes to college while George, bound by family duty, stays home. She graduates and comes by to visit. George does not want to settle down. Rather he wants to have his chance to see the world. However, deep down, he loves her and in an incredibly emotional scene he goes from anger to tender love as the ambivalence pulls at him. He falls into her arms in the most moving and powerful love scene I have ever seen on the silver screen. This powerful love scene is pulled off without even so much as a stitch of clothing being removed and without even a hint of lewd suggestiveness. This beautiful scene is tremendously powerful in its emotionalism. The tension is all emotional, not sexual. What a masterpiece this scene is!

Obviously, I love this movie. I have seen it many times and never grow tired of it. I recommend it highly.