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It's A Wonderful Life 1947 PARAMOUNT PRODUCTIONS, DIRECTED BY FRANK CAPRA Starring James Stewart & Donna Reed It’s a Wonderful Life is by far one of the best holiday movies I have ever had the joy in watching. Seldom does a movie achieve more than laughs, this one brings so much more to anyone who watches it. A tale of one mans struggle to get what he wants, all the while giving everyone else everything he has along the way. Almost everyone I know has seen this movie at one point or another. Some recalling parts, others remembering it in its entirety. Until this season, I hadn’t seen any of it at all. I had only the vaguest idea of its concept, and the story alone was enough for me to add it to the Mount Crumpit library. Its story, set deep in the midst of the Great Depression and throughout World War I, was that of honesty, truth, and doing the right thing. George Bailey (Stewart) was a man that everyone liked. He stood up for the little guy, stood up for his family, and worked harder than just about anyone else in the small town of Bedford Falls. His big dreams of traveling and seeing the world are cut short when his father passes away, leaving him to head the family building and loan business. Plans keep changing at Bailey’s Building and Loan, forcing George to continuously give everything he has, and give up everything he’s ever wanted, to make everyone else happy. Along the way, George is tempted by money from Bedford Falls’ richest man and business owner, Mr. Potter. Potter wants nothing more than to see Bailey’s go under and fall on their face, and eagerly waits for the day he can take over. Throughout the movie, we watch as George grows from the young boy who saves his brothers life, to the High School graduate who puts traveling and college on hold for the sake of Bedford Falls. But how can one man save the town? Without George’s family business, the entire town would live under Potter’s thumb, paying outrageous rent and living in complete chaos. Over the years, George has married (Donna Reed) and had four children. He’s become burnt out at the office, and is always seen on edge. After his business partner misplaces all the banks money, George is poised for jail time and bankruptcy. At his complete wits-end, he stands on a bridge, ready to throw himself into the water and forget his entire life. Before he can, his guardian angel Clarence appears. Clarence affirms that George needs to reconsider his anger and choice of suicide. The next series of events take George throughout Bedford Falls as if he never existed at all. Now known as Pottersville, George sees just how much of an impact he made on his fellow man, and that he wants back everything he once had. I see why this is such a classic. Its completely wholesome. A moral and message so pure, that the closing sequence cant help but put a smile on your face. Capra’s directing bring a wide variety of emotions and dark sequences, but send the very clear message of not only Christmas, but life itself. Its about doing the right thing. Life is about helping out your fellow man, and not always thinking about your own personal gain. Its about being a good person. Being self-less. And it will put a smile on your face. You cant help but not smile at the outcome of George’s flashback. Everything that makes a movie classic is here. This film, along with A Christmas Story and House Without A Christmas Tree have changed my whole outlook on cinema. If youre like me and hadn’t seen this movie up until this point, be sure to find out what all the fuss is about. MOUNT CRUMPIT RATING: 5 / 5 |
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